Ebony passed Akirian one of her own guns "If one of those things comes near you. Point and pull the trigger. It doesn't matter where you shoot it, just keep it away from you." She warned her. The colt .45 appeared in her hand a moment later as a click from below signalled Charlie was out of ammo. Shots rang out from Ebonys weapons now. The colt proving a far more damaging weapon than the 9mm. Charlie grabbed their packs and climbed onto the fire escape Now taking the lead whilst Ebony fired. He didn't bother re-loading and it was doubtful that she would until they were on the roof. As her weapons hit empty she replaced them and pulled out a magnum revolver. Charlie didn't reveal a thrid weapon.

As it happened the roof was safe and he tossed the packs down with venom. Ebony sat on the edge of the roof, watching the fire escape. She knew those things had touble climbing but she didn't relax easily.

Terry had climbed to the roof from the fire escape his eyes not leaving the fight across the street until he heard gun shots nearby. Looking up and around the edge of the building he seen the zombies in the alley way but not the people protecting themselves.

He wondered if it was Charlie and Ebony but didn't have Jesslynne's curiosity to find out himself. All it would have taken was to jump over the small space between the two buildings to see for sure but when he heard the rattlings of a fire escape he moved back from the edge of trying to see who every was firing off shots but at the fire escape of the building he was on and was relieved none were trying to climb but figured the next building's roof was where the ones trying to escape the zombies were taking refuge as well.

With a sigh he looked back as he watched the rhythmic glints of blades move in the distance. From here it almost looked like a dancer holding lights.

Jesslynne heard the resonating sounds of gunshots around where she had left Terry and her head spun wondering if he was in trouble or not. Instead of continuing her fun she sliced through another two before shifting one of the swords to her other hand so she had one facing forward and back found the dagger she tossed and sheathed it. Afterwards she grabbed the man's arm, there was enough of a gap to run across the street and she was ready for the fight that would come once more...

Terry noticed the change right away and krept down the fire escape knowing Jesslynne would be headed his way, his gun had been in his hand when he had reached the roof the first time now he aimed it at where the zombies would be coming waiting the last minute before shoving the ladder down.

"Jesslynne, up here," Terry called to her and smiled to see that she was uninjured as usual.

Charlie re-loaded the guns calmly. "You like shooting things way too much Ebony. Where did the magnum come from?" He asked. The 9mms returned to their rightful place and he returned to hunting through his pack. The soft clink of bullets moving around showed he was actually looking for something.

Ebony shrugged "It appealed to me a town back." She replied absently, not taking her eyes off of the street below.

Charlie shrugged and looked at Akirian, taking the gun from her "And what did you think would be up here?" He asked placing it on the floor. "Those things aren't likely to be roaming the rooftops."

She sighed "I know. But still...I can't help it.Seventeen years is a lot of training to just ignore." Charlie paused and nodded.

Akirian gave Charlie a poutish look as he took the gun from her. She hadn't even had a chance to prove herself. "I can handle it." Akirian declared letting her own pack down for the moment.

He nodded "I don't doubt it little one. But you don't want to use one until you have had at least some basic training." He replied softly. "You will get your chance." He smiled "Once you have had training I promise you I'll let you fire first. Deal?" He offered. "But until then you're going to wait unless there is immediate danger ok? Even we had to wait to shoot something of flesh and blood until we had some training."

Akirian looked to the ground frusterated. They were on a rooftop where were they supposed to train her. Akirian let out a breath before looking up at Charlie smiling again. "Okay." she said, knowing she couldn't say anything else, there was no other option.

"We'll wait till this lot moves off then I'll go find some targets. If you do well tonight we'll hunt out a small group and let you take them. Charlie and I will only fire if they get rowdy or re-inforcements or too close to you." Ebony said detecting the note in her voice even though she never looked away from the ground below.

"How long until they go?" Akirian asked peering over the edge. She could see the zombies looking up. They knew they were up here they just couldn't seem to get to them.

She shrugged "Some go in minutes"

"Some go in hours." Charlie finished for her.

"We're not equipped to take them all out. You'd need a rapid fire weapon or to get close with blades. Reloading takes too long, and getting too close is too dangerous. They're infectious. I've seen children in with a few groups." She sighed.

"We'd rather not risk it." Charlie added. "Part of being a good warrior is choosing your battles carefully. It's fine to run full tilt at everything but you'll run into something you can't get out of one day. Being cautious is better. No one sees you comming."

Akirian sat down listening to thw two. She knew she would need to know this. It would mean death or survival. "Theres no cure. Does that mean were eventually gonna get the disease?" Akirian asked suddenly fearful.

Ebony looked up at last. "It's unlikely. We have imunities to what turned them. But their bodies have mutated. The disease has too. It's now a transfer between bodily fluids. Saliva, blood, semen...although blood's realy the only one to worry about with zombies. They're not likely to seduce you." She paused and looked at Charlie.

"However there is a chance that this new strain will become airborn. Diseases like to mutate for survival. Pretty pesky buggars really. But it's their nature. If we can eliminate the zombies before it mutates we're home dry. But eventually the zombies are going to starve to death They're not smart enough to seek out food. The just roam and maybe bump into something. So It's not too much of a worry. If we get somewhere safe we should survive and emerge later to a zombie free world." Charlie finished.

"But what about the others around the world. And the animals?" Akirian asked. She loved animals and although people had not been so kind to her recently she still cared for them. It was hard right now with so little around.

The weak will be killed the strong will survive. That's the way of nature." Ebony said simply. "The world produced people like Charlie, Jess and myself who can stand on our own and if we're not studid there's no doubt about our survival. But the rest of the survivors? They either toughen up quick or they die." She looked out over the rooftops "The zombies tend to stick to what they knew. Cities, towns places where there is people. Unfortunatly a lot of people stick to these places too. Get out of built up areas and there's not so many if any. There were five at home. Our father, brother housekeeper and two guild members. No more would have ever come. We lived so far away from everything. But our house was stocked with weapons and ammo rather than food and water.The animals are safe, the zombies won't leave unless forced too and they're not likely to be forced out yet."

Charlie shrugged "What we need is someplace underground with only one enterance, sturdy and no windows near a built up area so there's enough food and water on hand but there's no danger. That's why we keep moving."

"What do you think would have happened to me. Had i not met you?" Akirian asked looking at the ground. She knew she was not the strongest but she had no idea where she stood on the side of life or death.

Ebony shrugged "Possably death, but I've only seen you running away half starved. There's a distinct chance you could survive never having met us. But it all depends on who you are. Could you have armed yourself effectively and known not to get bitten by zombies without us? Only you know the answer."

Akirian continued looking at the ground she knew the answer. She had never known that the virus had created zombies, she would have been easily tricked then dead. "i would have died. But not now."

Ebony nodded but Charlie spoke "Luck will always be a factor. Even in survival of the fittest." He replied with a smile sitting down on the other side of Akirian. "It's only luck that made us be who we are. The luck of being born into our family. Now you have a fighting chance kid." He smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder.

Akirian looked up smiling again as she nodded. "I'll do my best and fight. Fight for survival."

He nodded "That means patience at times and action at others." He explained "Rash actions lead to terrible outcomes."

Ebony nodded "But don't worry you won't have anywhere near as extensive training as we had to go through." She smiled warmly.

"Think before you act right." Akirian asked. "What do i need to learn? Fighting wise i mean. You guys will teach me what you know right?" Akirian stated. She was ready, ready as she would ever be. She was willing to learn and not complain about the hardships, surely it would be better than death.

"Patience. We fight when we have to not on a whim." Ebony said.

"Aim. You're nothing if you can't aim your weapon." Added Charlie.

"Strength and agility. You need to be powerful enough to be the master of all situations and the grace to get out of them." Pointed Ebony.

"Speed. You have to reload fast because our bullets only last so long." Charlie handed Ebony her 9mm.

"Working as a team as well as individually. You will have to be on your own during watches but work with us on the streets."

Charlie smiled "And that's just for starters. Think you're up to it?"

"Patience, aim, strength, agility, team work and individual, got it." Akirian said. "I can do it. I promise i'll do it." she said her blue orbs determined. Her short golden hair flowed with the wind. "I will do it."

Ebony nodded. "So what's your name kid? I don't think I ever caught it." She placed her hand on Akirians other shoulder. Her gaze met Charlies and a message was passed between them.

"Akirian Kreana Tsuki." Aki said. "stupid me never introduced myself." Aki said slapping her forhead.

Ebony nodded "Right Akirian, they seem to be moving off now." She remarked as the zombies group seemed to be thinning. "There's food in the cities for everyone at the moment." She smiled.