1 Part 1

I feel tired...

I always feel tired when waking up...

Then again what's new about that, I'm always feeling tired in the mornings, it never used to be that way.

I loved mornings, I loved waking up early and running down to the kitchen to find smiles waiting for me, greeting me, giving me love and kisses and constantly ruffling my hair, and giving me the best warm hugs that tell me I'm safe and loved, but I'll never get to see those faces...ever again.

Thundering footsteps rang through the house before my bedroom door swung open.

"Wakey, Wakey!"

Suddenly I was bodied by two bodies nearly knocking the wind right out of me.

"Hurry up and wake up big sis! Breakfast is ready!"

The two mischievous blondes giggled while sitting on me "Breakfast, you say?" An evil grin spread across my face "Why should I get up when the breakfast has brought themselves to me ha!" I immediately sprang into action and began my tickle assault, bringing them both into a laughing fit.

"Oh look at these delicious children, they are no match for my tickling powers" I laughed maniacally as they continued to scream out of glee.

"Stop! Don't eat us we give up!" They both called out and I stopped and collapsed on top of them laughing "Ah no fair, it's not fun when your meal gives up" I pouted then hugged the two twins together and smothered them with kisses causing another giggle of glee.

"I think that's enough tomfoolery for one morning" Tetsu walked in and stood by the door "and the fun sucking demon is here we must run before he gets us, evasive maneuver!" I shouted and Tetsu sighed, the three of us jumped off the bed and began running around the room to avoid him but of course, Tetsu caught us within a minute.

"You have to get ready for school Zita and so do you, mischievous twins, you guys need to finish breakfast and head to school as well" we all aw'd but followed his orders nonetheless.

Tetsu carried the twins out knowing they'd likely slip away to cause mischief somewhere in the house like they always do and as for me, I started preparing for the day ahead, the crushing sadness was just a fleeting thought in my mind but still lingered.

"Good morning Zita, did you sleep well?" Mrs. Urakusai greeted me as I sat down at the tablet and reached for the toast "Morning, I slept well, got a lively wake-up call this morning" I said looking over at the twins and they both grinned proudly.

Mrs. Urakusai chuckled and placed a plate of bacon down and some fried tomatoes.

"It's never boring with these two around," She said, ruffling their hairs.

"You've got that right." Mr. Urakusai commented before flipping to the next page roughly.

"Honey don't be so grumpy now. Don't mind him, the twins thought it would be funny to add a little surprise in his coffee, it truly was a surprise indeed" She simply giggled as her husband shot daggers at his two offsprings who innocently smiled at their father.

I simply chuckled, wondering what could they have possibly done to get the look of disapproval.

Mr. Urakusai isn't a mean person I'd say he's a lot like Tetsu or vise versa, he always looks grumpy but has a deep love for his family and will protect them no matter the cost. He's the type of Dad who'd most likely dress up for his children no matter how ridiculous the outfit and still look serious.

The image of Mr. Urakusai in a princess dress got me choking on my toast and sending an unpleasant shiver up my spine.

"Oi idiot at least chews your food" Tetsu handed me his orange juice and I gulped it down "Th-Thanks," I said in between coughs and gave the glass back then slowly ate my toast with the image still floating in my head.

So disturbing.

"Oh look at the time, you guys need to get going for school" Mrs. Urakusai got up and went to the kitchen to finish up packing our lunches, I quickly finished my toast and the rest of my breakfast got up, and ran upstairs to grab my school bag.

A quick check by the mirror fixed my bangs a bit and made sure my pointy ears were covered by my hair, stood a little longer to look at my appearance. I had my mom's ocean green eyes and my dad's earthy brown hair, anyone could tell that I was very different from the Urakusai family, even those who never knew my parents.

I shook my head before I ended up in a deep hole of emotions, deciding I look fine I rushed back downstairs. Tetsu was already by the door with his keys waiting for the twins and me.

"Have a nice day, okay?" Mrs. Urakusai placed kisses on our cheeks as she handed us our lunch bags and waved us off "We will Okasan! Bye Otosan!" The twins called out and Mr. Urakusai simply grunted in response, still upset about the coffee.

We made our way to the car, the twins got in the back, buckling in their seatbelts. I sat in the front and waited for Tetsu to place our bags in the boot and close it.

The driver door opened and he got in, putting the key in the ignition, and pulled out of the driveway "Oniisan, remember we have soccer practice today, so don't forget to pick us up" Kasumi said and Tetsu nodded in agreement, like he'll ever forget, his not the type to forget.

"Zee, did you study for your test today?" See what I mean? I shifted in my seat and averted my eyes to the passing cars "A little you know, the important stuff" I didn't have to look to know he was looking at me, I could feel his eyes on the back of my neck only making me more nervous.

"Oooh, big sister is in trouble." The twins sang and I shot them a look.

"Zee it's important to focus on your studies, not focusing on watching tv and reading comics." I shrank more in my seat as he lectured me.

"Oh come on it's not like I'll be using any of it in the real world anyway." I pouted.

"You don't know that, you never know when all you've studied will come in handy, it's better than not knowing anything and be seen like the world's biggest idiot." He said and I sank in my seat even more than it was possible.

The car was now filled with awkward silence, I leaned my head against the window and continued to watch the cars pass by, I don't think he's wrong but I just don't like the whole pressure that comes with studying for tests that determine your future, just doesn't feel fair.

Tetsu sighed "Look I'm just looking out for you Zee as well as you two in the back, you guys are my family and I'll do whatever it takes to take care of you and your futures." He placed a hand on my head, I took a peek under my lashes and saw a small gentle smile on his face, I know he means well and that he's willing to do anything for us.

That's what I admire most about Tetsu, his unbreakable love and loyalty to his family and those he considers friends, I returned the smile "I know, I'll do better next time, I promise" I reassured "I know you will" he gave me a gentle punch on the shoulder and all was right in the world.

We finally stopped at Kasumi and Kazane's primary school, Tetsu got out of the car to get their stuff and say his goodbye's and got back into the car "Okay let's get you to school" He started up the car and drove off, I switched on the radio and pop idol music filled the car.

Overhead I noticed a few swifts fly by, towards the forest "huh that's odd?" Odd? I turned to look at what Tetsu was referring to and saw there was traffic on the highway "Do you think there's an accident up ahead?" I asked as I thought about the swifts that flew by.

Usually, they are around during accidents or worse "Most probably, hopefully, doesn't go on for too long or you'll miss your test" I rolled my eyes "I'm only writing in the third period and I'll just tell my homeroom teacher what happened once I get there." I rolled down the window to see if I could get a better view of what's going on "Zee don't stick your head out the window, I'm sure the traffic will move soon."

"I don't think so, something tells me there's more going on." I could already feel Tetsu's eye's on me "Zee" he warned, "Oh come on, I saw a group of swifts flying above and they're only out when there's a huge accident or when there's a Walker around." I stated, "And that's exactly why we're staying in this car and let the authorities deal with it." He said sternly "I'm just going to see what's going on in the front and how bad it is, that's it." I got out of the car and Tetsu called after me but I pretended not to hear and quickly jogged towards the front.

I wasn't going to give him a chance to physically carry me back to the car and tie me down with the seatbelt, he's done that once and I know he'll do it again, don't ask.

Everyone was either sticking their heads out of the car to see what was holding up the traffic or honking irritability as if that would do any good for them.

I got to the front and there was already a small crowd that had gathered, about six feet away there was a large truck toppled to the side, all the contents sprawled out on the road, there was a huge dent right in the middle of it.

"Hey what happened here?" I asked one of the strangers "Police aren't saying much but I think a Walker jumped out of that forest and smashed into the side of the truck, took the driver, and disappeared, there's been a lot of Walker activities lately, I don't think it's a coincidence they suddenly show up before the elections, I mean if you think-" the guy next to me continued talking but I wasn't listening any more fear was slowly making its presence known.

I looked at the forest in which the Walker disappeared to, you could see it ran through there by the way the trees were bent, I could hear distant screams echoing in my head and voices calling out my name, I quickly shook my head and swallowed down my fear and bolted for the forest "Hey kid don't go there it's not safe! Hey, stop that kid!" The police officer called out but I was already gone.