Dead Heart: DigitalSiren X Pox

Marai might have found his nervousness in the middle of a zombie apocalypse incredibly endearing if she wasn't a zombie herself. Even as a human she wouldn't have minded the mess and as a zombie she didn't care; should have wanted to see the roof though, right away. Hiroki wouldn't need to worry about her and his guns, they scared her... Somehow like before when he'd killed the other zombie, she knew he was capable of violence, though.. he'd never once been violent towards her. Guns were another thing that triggered in her brain as dangerous, she'd give them a wide berth.

She'd been happily playing with what amounted to her new "toy" when Hiroki approached her. She'd happily shown him it, the simple delights of the lid opening and closing. He spoke and her head tilted, curiously as she listened. He could have told her it was a purple polka dotted elephant and she would have made that happy little sound, trusting his voice above all else. She had no idea how the lighter worked and was more than content to slip it open and closed for him, as if it was something miraculous; to her and her simple mind it was and she wanted to share that joy with him.

Marai blinked and looked to him as he leaned into her, stiffening for a second. She seemed surprised at the touch but after a second, the tension that had seemed to stiffen her small frame vanished. It would have been sweet, as a pair of humans and her brain seemed to put some of it together... though only just a little bit. She shifted slightly, leaning into him. His voice sounded just behind her and then she heard the clicking. Pale yellow eyes shifted towards the lighter and she watched with fascination as he clicked it. Once, twice, three times before the lighter's flame appeared, as if by magic. A delighted gurgle left her and she turned to look at him some, her head close to his. That joy while clumsily displayed was displayed clearly, no question to her feelings.

It was likely a good thing he'd shown her it would hurt because Marai had been wanting to touch the delicately dancing flame in her hand. A sound left her like a gasp and she leaned in, as if to inspect his finger. Marai wasn't whole, but more of her seem to come alive near him. When Hiroki smiled, she smiled back, trying to mimic him. This time a smile curled along her lips through slowly. When he pulled away, the smile faltered some... Marai enjoyed the closeness. The lighter was closed and the flame extinguished by him, but Marai wasn't paying attention to it anymore, the zombie girl sulking. Looking at what he showed her, it didn't make much sense to her.

However, when his hand touched her thigh she looked to his hand. Part of his hand on her shorts, frayed and clearly a bit dirty and against the bare skin of her thigh. Her skin cool almost clammy. His hand moved up, feeling for something and she stayed still. When his hand groped around her hip towards her rear, his hand found what he was looking for. Marai on the other hand was happy he was close once more and she shifted some, laying her head to his shoulder, face towards it. She didn't mind the closeness clearly and was happy cuddled into him even as he spoke. Once more he pulled away and she made a soft sound.

The pouting zombie girl was back as he fiddled with the thing in his hands. Hiroki seemed delighted by it and a part of her wanted to be as well. As she had shared her delight in something, it felt like he was sharing with her. The pout faded and she smiled back at him. Blinking she looked at him, not reacting to her name. When he turned the thin piece of plastic towards her she could see her own face reflected, not that she knew it as such. For that matter, Marai didn't know herself as Marai. Rather, she knew herself as Hoshi. It was hat he called her after all. She looked past the card at him. Shifting some, unaware of the boundaries a person might have, Hiroki found himself being sat beside her head falling to his shoulder, his lighter in her hands as she contently flipped it open and closed.
 
The copying even went to facial features and it was a breath of fresh air it was. It made the interactions alot more, validated. She could look at him, smile when she was pleased and give a kind of sharp whining gurgle when unsatisfied. He imagined it to be a yes or no, positive and negative reinforcement. He honestly wondered how she would even take negative, so far her behavior was more curious and endearing then not. She made no harsh move against him, nor did she grasp or grab at anything more then items, things to collect.

The fire got a higher playful exhale. He knew she'd like it, and it made him giggle. The pantomime with him hurting himself and her motion to have her eye trace to his finger. "I'm okay." He held it to her. "Here look." And it was okay, but he wondered if she burned itself, would it even heal. She still had the bite scar, and probably a bunch of other cuts on her. He figured that she made a noise and while he thought it was the fire being off, he would soon learn why. The proximity, the warmth. Her fore head rested into the crook of his neck when he was looking for her wallet. When she ignored the picture of her, she seemed to shuffle in her seat "Your name is Marai, and you were really cute. I mean you still are and-" and put her head on his shoulder.

He took a moment to let it sink in as he looked at her resting her head on him, and while he seemed to raise his arms in alarm, he eventually let them drop, let them settle. He looked at her tuft of silver hair... Hoshi really was a good name for her. "I guess you like this huh? Marai. I like that name too." He reached up, putting a hand through the dry strands, petting her. He shifted, got comfortable and let her lean on him, on her floor, occasionally petting her, and more like just letting his feet stretch out, trying to feel any sign of a heartbeat, or a breath. He sat there quietly for a minute, letting her play with the lighter, not wanting to disturb her. He did take in a few things, the mustiness and countless time of caked on dirt. He thought she could probably take a bath and immediately it made him speak up reflexively. "Ya know, I wonder if this is what like couples used to do. High school couples. Watching TV and movies. I had a girl friend in middle school, but that was like, amusement parks, ice cream. Fireworks. Listening to music."

All the while her light went Click click click click. It echoed through the apartment, and eventually a combination of the quiet and maybe feeling his heart race a bit as his head went to places left for pretty living girls, he did shift.

"Here." He pushed against Marai as his arm reached around her to the nearby coffee table. He was reaching for a remote, the action would send Marai into his chest as his arm wrapped around her, the black remote being manipulated as he looked at something against the wall, a TV. "You like that, you'll love this." He said, turning it on, and then lowering the volume, his eyes on her on how to react. He browsed through his folder library that he had on the stick, still powered from the solar generators and batteries he had set up. The TV showing dull colors suddenly came alive, music video started playing.



He nodded his head a little with the beat, letting his red hair sway a little bit.
 
The petting of her hair earned him one of those noises that clearly indicated her happiness, like a kitten purring when one scratched along their back, Marai when petted or happy, made that soft gurgling noise. She had no idea of the feelings she raised in him, which wouldn't be unusual when she didn't understand the feelings he caused in her. She couldn't even understand that they were feelings in truth. He spoke above her while she played with the lighter, content with her snuggling and her toy. His voice soothing. Marai had not had any boyfriends really, perhaps one during middle school, much like he had, though it had been short lived. Marai often didn't count it when she had been alive. It had been a date he hadn't been her boyfriend.

Marai liked Hiroki. She would have liked him alive, though she wouldn't have been as forward as she was as a zombie. Blushing and shy smiles and perhaps flirting. Her hand finding his as they grew closer. She'd always wanted someone to care for her, much like he was now. She might have been sad she had to "die" to obtain such a wish though. Shifted in his arms, Marai stopped playing with her lighter and looked up at him puzzled. Though soon his arms settled around her and her small frame relaxed. She'd been looking at him until the sound came from the TV, her eyes shifting to it. The music washed over her, something she hadn't heard since she had died. Her body shifted some, and her head fell against his lightly. The bobbing of his head brushing against her hair. Once, her hair had been silky, now it felt more like straw.

She sat silent with him, a smile curled on her lips. It was as if the sound of the music, the colors that played along the screen awakened something inside her. Her eyes lowered to his hand, as if remembering when Hiroki showed her his finger. Her head shifted and Marai looked at him, cautiously before reaching for his hand. Her movements were slow as something from a time long since the past came back to her. Marai seemed to move very slowly, as if allowing him to stop her. Her mouth was closed as the pad of his fingers was brought to her lips. Like a child who had hurt themselves, getting a kiss from their mother to soothe the pain. She didn't understand he hadn't hurt himself any more than she understood her own actions. It was much like her desire to be close to him, curling into him for that comfort. She did a lot of things without knowing it's reasoning. It was like an echo of who she used to be, surfacing and then slipping away.

When her hand lowered, her hand was still with his, curled against his. If she had any idea of her actions it didn't show now. Her eyes once more back on the screen. The song ended and she tilted her head to look at him, gurgling once more. The lighter for the moment forgotten by her thigh. Something stirred within her, the beginnings of life perhaps. She wouldn't notice the change, it would be up to Hiroki to pick up on. The change was subtle and weak as her heart beat for the first time since she had died. A struggling beat, that wouldn't repeat for several minutes.
 
He looked down at her to gauge her reactions, watching the light play in her eyes, soft very subtle motions as she reaction to motions, but mostly it was her pressing against him. She seemed to like the attention, the touch of him. Maybe it was the reaction to being cold, or it awoke old long since dead feelings of connection. It was a very human need. He grinned a little. "You like cuddling huh Marai. Maybe you're cold. I think you'd feel better in a sweater or something. Honestly never thought I would-"

Her attention went elsewhere... a slow descent to his hand, then his face, then his hand again. She took it... he felt muscles gently trying to close around his own. He could easily tore from her grasp... easily pull away but his eyes followed as his hand was lifted in a curl of his bicep. He watched her, wondering... his hand coming to her mouth. He froze, well not really froze. He had to- resist the urge to pull away. Marai was different from those other dead heads. She had dozens of times to bite him, but she never even made a fast mode against him. Still it didn't stop his heart from beating and his arms from flexing. He watched the hand, then the mouth. He felt something soft and dry against the tips of his skin, something... wet maybe, hard to tell. It was a strange unfamiliar sensation. It was when she let the hand go did he realize what she did, tried to do.

She kissed his hand...

The realization was a bit of shock, enough to make his heart thump and cheek flush. She merely let it drop, but her hand became entwined with his. A long moment passed as the music fulfilled to its completion. Soon they were left in darkness again, two figured hunched on the floor. Words escaped him, his mind flushed and flashed with the hows and whys and maybes.

Eventually, his hands squeezed her a little. Pulling her shoulder and enclosing around her hand. He was looking in her head, her face, trying to gleam something there beyond the happy innocent smile. "Mmarai?" He said with a soft whisper. Unknowing on how to follow. What should he say? Why was he even worried about it. He gulped a bit before he pulled her hand to up towards his own mouth. It was this time he would copy her. Green eyes opened until the last moment, through a tuft of red hair he gave her a look of intensity, of complication, but desire to move forward. He closed his eye and the back of her hand felt his breath as he pulled the cool clammy dry skin into his lips, a bit of warm moisture gathering for a moment before he released it slowly, a moments hesitation but feeling as if he made his point across. "I - like you too." He said suddenly though not knowing why? He thought that is what she was trying to say, without words but with deeds.

Still... a woft of grime and the taste of the dirt in the cracks of her skin woke him from the moments connection, the moments bliss. He sniffed again. "But- I think you might need a bath." He said, feeling as if he broke the tension which was both jarring and calming. He withdrew his hand from her but kept his hands in her own, helping her onto her feet with him. "Then we'll get you some new clothes. New life, new clothes." He told her, a nervous smile plastered on his lips. He pulled her into his bathroom.

Which, honesly wasn't much. A jug of water resting into the tub and a series of buckets, electric water kettles and then the cleaning supplies of his skin and medicine cabinet. A hanging lantern brought light into the dim room, and two candles allowed the rest of it to have light. He pulled Marai into the room, and then stopped midway. In all this deliberate focus to clean her, he forgot he would have to undress her as well, the concept didn't really suit him as he seemed to stare at her, his hands moving but not knowing where to start. "Sorry Marai, I might have too... wait." He turned, hand on a valve as the water filled from the jug, then he flicked switches on nearby kettles which began to warm, just as he used another jug to fill a bucket.

He was just stalling...
 
She did like cuddling, though neither would know this now, not just anyone would do. Marai was drawn to Hiroki for some reason. His kindness likely a part... She would never know exactly what had led her to stand in the parking lot day in and day out waiting for him. If Marai noticed his body tense, she didn't show it. The brush of lips over before it had begun and her hand once more linked with his. The music slowly came to an end and she tilted her head, almost expectantly as if she expected the TV to play something else, like it once had in a time before death.

The squeeze of her hand made a sweet sound bubble from her and she gazed at him peacefully, a soft smile on her lip. Marai hadn't expected him to return her action and when he did, he would see her eyes widen slightly. Her heart gave another slow beat, sluggishly pumping blood through her body. It had been what she was trying to say, though... it was hard for her to understand why. He was alive, human and her brain, body were still lost in the virus that had killed her. Marai liked Hiroki and the more time she spent with him, the deeper and more understanding of the feeling went. His hand slid from her but he didn't take his hand, which would have resulted in a pouting zombie yet again. Standing slowly as if her body had trouble following the desire movement she allowed him to tug her after him, no resistance offered.

Inside the bathroom she looked around, hand still firmly within his. This room was interesting, but it didn't make her want to touch anything quite yet. She simply looked around before her eyes on him. When he released her hand, she made a sound of protest but lingered in place. Her mind didn't put two and two together, what the water was for, or why he seemed so flustered. Had she, she might have taken pity on him and removed her own clothing. However, for now, she just waited.

Marai had actually loved baths once upon a time. Spoiling herself with bath bombs or fancy shampoo. She'd been known to also treat herself to a private room at an onsen. Normally though, it would be a book, candle and bubbles as she soaked. It was one of the few things she had done that she could have classified as frivolous. After, she would apply lotion to her skin, keeping her body silky soft. Not that anyone had ever been with her to find out just how soft her skin had been.

Shifting in place Marai moved closer to him once more. Close to crowding him, but just shy of it as she watched him work. If he needed to turn or move past her, their bodies would brush with how close she was. Unintentional, but something that would bring delight to the poor zombie girl. He would find, when he finally worked up the courage to undress her, that she would move with him, allowing him to do what he needed in order to obtain his goal. No bra but a pair of blue panties with white daisies were the only item of clothing he couldn't see. Marai hadn't needed to wear a bra, her breasts small enough to not require one unless she wanted to.
 
He we setting some electric kettles to warm the water as the bathtub filled from the container. It wasn't going to be much, just enough for her to sit in it while he poured buckets of warm water over her, using soap to scrub the rest of it away, maybe some shampoo for her hair. He could barely bring his arm before he would touch Marai. He nearly elbowed her a couple times by accident. He tried to remind her with a smile. "You must have been lonely out there huh." He moved her back a few inches. "Im almost done. Just give me a sec." But a moment later, she'd be in his space again. His arms pressing into her chest, a second to realize what he touched and then recoiling. "Sor-" he said reactively before catching himself. He gave her a bit of a look of annoyance, but it was quick to fade. She needed interaction to get better he theorized, and she really liked touch. He doubted he was going to get her into her own room that night.

Sharing a bed... wrong on a lot of levels.

With water in the tub, he finally looked back to her, standing infront of her. "Okay, all ready." He paused, smiling despite himself. "So- yeah. Let me help... I mean I don't have any women's clothes. But a sweater, some pajamas. I think you'd like it." He was talking seemingly to make himself not have to think about stripping her.

He started with her pants, effort in finally undoing the button from her waist, then the zipper after god knows how long. He bent low to pull them down, showing more and more of her pale skin and a pair of blue panties, faded white flowers on it. He was beat red, but he snickered. It wasn't what he was expecting. Friction had rended it in tatters, but it still held. Before that though, he noticed her bare foot and single shoe. The remains of a sock still on the bare one, and a hole just getting bigger and bigger. He had to knee in order to be able to get everything off. He thought a moment, not wanting to make her fall. "Umm, Here." He grabbed one of her hands and put it on his shoulder, then the other. "Hold onto me." He then began to work, lifting her leg at the knee so he could free the pant leg, the remains of the other sock. Then he put that leg down and began with the other, grabbing her single shoe, then the other pieces. The clothing was filthy and in horrible shape. He discarded it to the side.

Then he looked back up to her, hands still on him. His cheeks were a little flushed as his hands reached for her, shaking. "Just have to get these now." He took a breath and calmed himself down. He needed to remember that she wasn't a girl, well... she was but she was a zombie. She wouldn't mind. He put his hands on her thighs. His thumbs hooked under the elastic and he began to pull them down, his hands also caressing down her thighs and her legs. He looked up at her, seeing if she was uncomfortable... or something. He then looked at her flower, seeing the top of her lower lips. Somehow, she had managed to remain, almost perfect after all this time. All except a single bite wound on her leg. She'd probably have that forever. He removed it from around her feet and actually breathed a sigh of relief. "There we go."

He then stood back up, remember that her shirt was left, one of the shoulders torn. "Okay, now just the shirt." He took her hands and raised them over her head. "Alright, keep them there." He did the same, peeling his fingers under her shirt and rolling it up. Over her stomach, showing her ribs, and then casually, over her chest. She was petite, it fit her lean body. There was a little mounds that greated him, her aerolas only slightly darker then the rest of her skin. They seemed to roll with the shirt before bouncing back into place. He continued over her heard, up her arms. He tried to keep his smile, mostly to distract himself that he now essentially had a naked girl in front of him, her arms bound in a shirt before he freed her from those confines too.
"Okay. Wasn't too bad." He continued. "Alright Marai just need you to sit in the tub." He took her arms, trying to slowly guide her into the warm water, a combination of rain water and the heat from the kettle. He'd help her do so, and clinged onto her to make sure she didn't fall or anything. It was slow going, but eventually he'd get her sitting, or lying down, his own form next to her. He had a loofa, brush, soap, and bucket at the ready. "Hope it's not too cold for you." It was luke warm, he didn't want to burn her.
 
The gentle bubbling of kettles filled the air. Marai was hovering close, it seemed now that he let her near, she was determined to stay near. Her eyes met his as he spoke and she tilted her head. She had been lonely, though how did one who couldn't process a simple thought with any level of coherency tell him that, let alone understand it well enough to express it? Marai didn't have that little voice that told one they were invading personal space. It was more than a desire to be near him, she almost needed it. She felt more human the closer she was. Much like everything else, she didn't understand why, not yet at least, but she liked how she felt so close to him. It made her... happy.

The annoyance that flashed across his face after his arms had pressed against the softness of her breasts. She'd like the touch, but the look of annoyance made her frown. His look faded and hers followed. She didn't understand why he'd looked at her like that. He was very correct in his thoughts. There would have been no way to separate her from him without a zombie tantrum. Would it come to that though? Marai had yet to be separate from him since he'd allowed her in close... since she'd protected him. It had only been a few hours really, but it had changed her whole world.

When he turned to her, he found her watching him. Perhaps with curiosity? Was that the look in her dull eyes? She didn't react when Hiroki popped the button of her pants, nor as he pulled them down revealing her panties. The human would have blushed and protested, even had she needed the help. Hand on his shoulder, she held on, as if she understood and she seemed to move just a bit as if helping. Her eyes on the crown of his red hair while he worked to remove her shoe, socks, pants and finally her panties. Her eyes met his and for a moment Marai frowned. What was he doing? Whatever caused that change in her face faded. Naked from the waist down she let her hand fall from his shoulder as he rose. Human Marai would have been blushing and stuttering by this part, but the zombie didn't seem to mind at all.

Head tilted as he lifted her arms. The moment he let go of them they fell, he'd need to do it twice more before she seemed to understand. Next Hiroki needed to remove her shirt, and Marai stood there waiting patiently. She made a sound, as her breasts bounced gently, it wasn't a negative sound more, just a noise from the motion. It felt funny. Completely naked, covered in grime and dirt, it was clear to see what she might have looked like alive. Her breasts were on the smaller side, though easily a handful for Hiroki. Her nipples were darker and oddly enough a little firm as they peeked upwards. Her stomach was flat and her side dipped in before flaring out to the swell of her hips. Her rear was heart shaped and the apex between her thighs was smooth. All of her body was smooth. Her limbs while dirty were shapely, with small hands and feet at the ends of her arms and legs.

Her arms fell when he touched them and she allowed him to lead her into the tub, though she made a sound, like a whimper at the water. It was warm, true, but Marai had a flashback of cold rain falling from the sky, soaking her to the bone. Zombies didn't feel hot and cold or really understand the wet, but Marai had never liked the wet. It took coaxing and her body cuddled close to his before he would get her sitting in the water. Once there she refused to stay there unless she was allowed to touch him in some way. Her preferred method was holding his hand, but she would be satisfied just touching his arm.

When he began to bathe her, Marai made chittering sounds. It was almost as if she was embarrassed and trying to talk to distract herself. Just sitting in the water wasn't enough, the dirt and grime caked on her small body. While some aspects were cleaner, her arms, legs and hair were filthy. Her chest, hips and sex were relatively cleaner, as was the one foot that had been encased in the shoe. Washing her hair would be a nightmare, for it more than anything else would remind the poor little zombie girl of rain.
 
She gave a lot of resistance getting into the tub. Was it the water? He had to grab her shoulders to calm her where she would snuggle next to him. He swore he felt her shaking. He knew the water wasn't that cold, but being naked in a bathroom, maybe that was it- or was it something it. "I know I know. Marai. Baths aren't fun." It kind of reminded him when he had to bathe a dog twice. "It's alright." At one point he literally had to hug her, his hand on her hair and giving soft assuring whispers. He tried not to think that her chest was pressed against his, still soft and pillowy even in her condition. It was easy when she looked so distressed, and his heart melted for her. "Shh.. It's alright." He slowly lowered himself, and her with him, feeling her tense and whimper the more the water touched her. "There we go. I'm sorry. I know it sucks. That's it." He shifted his weight a little to have her slide back into it, moving himself along the rim of the bathtub. When she stopped whimpering and shaking, he would lean back a little bit, a big smile. "Good. Like I said, we'll be quick. Imagine how much cuter you'll be when we get you cleaned up." He reached up, touching her cheek, stroking it gently.

"Now, I just need to get the-" He tried to move away, and his hand was held fast her. It was his arm in her grip, her fingers entwining with his own. "Umm-" He said kind of confused, then he tugged again but she wasn't budging. He sighed but tightened his own grip in her hand. "Okay okay. I can do this one handed... I think." He scanned the room, trying to get everything he needed with his right hand gripped across her chest, hand in hers. It took effort but he mixed the hot water with cold in a measuring pitcher and poured over one leg, then the other. It was awkward working with his arm across himself, but he did what he could. The rolled the soap into a cloth and tried to lather her leg, going down, though getting to her feet, he had to bend her leg. "Ugh, you got some stuff caked on." The bits of dirt in her foot and toes, he swapped cloth to brush to cloth again.

He then went for her arms, and shoulders, one side being easier to get to then the other. He made sure to squeeze her hand when he poured the water, as that made her squirm the most strangely. He kept talking about it. "I guess I can see the reason why. Zombies can't swim. Probably being in the rain wouldn't be fun either, or like, sleet. Good god, it must have been awful out there." Slowly the water in the bath began to get a little cloudy, and her skin was beginning to become a bit brighter, still pale, but not grey at least.

Then came the more, sensitive parts. He used a sponge on her back, not wanting to pour it on her as she was hunched over like that. Just a soapy wet cloth over her shoulder blades and running down her spine, going lower and lower and-, He had to get everything... otherwise they might have to do this sooner rather then later, and he didn't have endless water either. "Okay, lean a bit," He pulled her forward, his cloth feeling her rear, around her cushie heart shaped cheeks. Then he let her back into the water. Her front was another issue. "Marai, I need my hand back." He leaned over, putting an arm around her as he tried to force her to take the hand on his shoulder. If he could get both, it exposed herself to him. "Thanks. See, it's not so bad." He got another look at her perky breasts, her tender lean form, and even lower... hard to see due to the water. He took another breath. "Sorry if this feels funny." He had the soapy sponge again, and he started at her neck. He pulled it down slowly, making long sudsy steaks down her chest, between her breasts down to her stomach before coming up again. He ran another line, he took a few glances but coyly tried to save her modesty. He went over one breast, the soft fabric following its gentle curve. He took extra time on the underside, the natural give making it mold, and bounce. He had to do the same to the other... He would be lying if the very act excited him a little, shown by his rambling, and obvious discomfort. "This would be so much easier if I still had my shower... I mean its still rain, but I bet you wouldn't mind sharing... err-" he closed his mouth. "Ignore that. Sorry." He couldn't help it, he was trying to treat her like a girl... and yet, hand reached down, the sponge cleaning her inner thighs, and wiping her sex, running through from lips to mound. He swore he felt her tender flesh for a moment, a little warmer then the rest of the water, but there was probably plenty of reasons. Then repeat, but with the water, doubling his awkward ness.

"Forget cute Marai. You're gorgeous." He said finishing up the body. "And once we clean the hair. It'll be all done." He had to admit, it was easier with his right hand. Another fresh pitcher of water. "Close your eyes alright." He began to pour. Alot of the months, if not years of debris came flushing out of the dull gray colored hair, but it was immediately evident how much she didn't like it. He squeezed her hand and leaned in closer, his and head touching her own. "We're almost done. Almost there. You're doing so good." He tried something, when the water cleared he remembered how she kissed his fingers... it wouldn't hurt. He finished the pouring, over her bangs, the back of her hair. He was quick to do it again, she had alot of hair. When it was dripping wet, he parted the bangs and used his free hand to grasp her cheek and turn her head. "It's okay. I'm here." He leaned in and actually despite the dirt and grime pouring down her face, he leaned in, and kissed her forehead before bringing a cloth up to her face, a bit of soap and rubbing her cheeks, her chin, nose and lips. "There she is. You were beautiful Marai. Still are actually." He smiled happily. He knew he was talking down to her a bit, but if it made her feel better.
 
The struggles Marai put up were not strong but insistent. She didn't want to go into the water! A soft tremble along her body as he tried to gently wrestle her into place. The comfort Hiroki offered was always sweet, but never long enough to keep the zombie girl still for long. It took him near ten minutes just to get her sitting in the bath and not trying to leap from the water. Petting and constant closeness helped, but his voice was not to be dismissed, the soothing cadence offering her solace. sitting in the tub, reclining slightly she leaned into the touch of his hand, her eyes still showing touches of fear. How did she combat that fear? His hand in hers. When he tried to pull away she made a small, pitiful sound and held firm. Her grip wasn't painful or dangerous, if Hiroki really needed to get free, he could. However, Maria was unlikely to stay in the bath.

Another sound of unhappy at the tug and her eyes met his, as his hand held hers back. Her small body visibly relaxed in the tub when he seemed to understand, for the moment that his hand was hers. When the process of washing began, she was mostly silent as the various tools to clean her skin were used. In life, Marai had been ticklish, deathly so. As he cleaned her, the grey tinge of her skin vanished and beneath, she looked almost human once more. Her skin a pale, creamy color, though lacking the flush of life. The rosy tinge that would have singled her as among the living. He also seemed to grasp exactly why Marai was so unhappy with her bath. Beneath his hand, with his diligent efforts he'd also find something else. Her skin was soft. It was almost as if "dying" had preserved her in some way. Almost like a doll, Marai moved where Hiroki wanted with little fuss as long as she still was touching him. When he needed his hands, he was able after a moment to coax her into switching. The panic that rose fading when she seemed to realize that she'd be allowed to still touch him.

The touch didn't seem to bother her much, as he began to clean her front. She didn't seem to notice his discomfort. She liked when he talked to her. His voice was a comfort that was immeasurable. Had he had his shower, he might have had a hell of a time getting her to stay under the water... Though she might have accepted it, pressed against him. In that sense, she wouldn't have minded in the slightest. The more contact she could have with him the better Marai seemed to feel. Would Marai remember these moments, the gentle sweetness and shyness in which Hiroki gave her the first bath she'd had since becoming a zombie. The water around her thighs was murky and unappealing but not unexpected for how dirty she had been. She'd begun to relax as he cleaned her front, making sure she was clean. When his hand and cloth brushed between her legs, Marai shifted some and made a sound in her throat.

She looked up at him as he spoke. She had no idea what was coming but the moment the water began to pour over her hair she let out a sound, there was no mistaking it. Fear. She didn't like it and tried to scramble free. He was able to soothe her a bit by touching her hand. It wasn't however until his lips brushed her forehead that her attempts to climb from the tub stopped. A whimper left her and she closed her eyes tight. She didn't try to escape the confines of the tub as he washed her face. He was, if he was quick even able to wash her hair and face again, should he need to. Though, the fear never really left her as she trembled in the cooling water. She was very much like a puppy. One of those sorts of dogs who looked miserable as all hell while they were bathed.

The way he spoke to her didn't bother her, as she found solace in his voice. She made a soft sound, that was almost like she was trying to talk. What might she have said? She hated baths, that was likely. The water was getting cold, another. Please hurry. Any number of things to get her out of the damned water faster. Though, had Marai been able to speak, she might have asked him for a story. Something to distract her from the fear and the rising waves of panic that seemed to fill her. To hear Hiroki's voice rise and fall while he bathed her, a constant hum of sound and a place to direct all attention to? It would have been perfect. But, sadly, she couldn't ask him for that. She didn't even know it would help her.

The little that Marai knew was Hiroki was safe. She didn't think he'd hurt her. Safe... He was safe. He cared for her.
 
It was a surprisingly somber scene, a constant struggle just for a bit of what, clenliness. Hiroki in the back of his mind figured that treating her like a girl would somehow, resurrect her. Make her better, but the struggle was very clear. "Not doing this again unless you get filthy. And even then probably be easier with paper towels." Its not like they didn't have a surplus of unused supply across the apartment buildings.

By the time he got her face, her eyes quivering, her face frowning, the look of fear and shock and utter misery on her brightening face. He knew it was the water itself, and he knew that it was contact, tenderness, and somehow his own voice that seemed to settle her down. She made some responses, something in protest... and he hadn't even a chance for the shampoo. He'd have to be a little devious, and sadly he'd have to get a little wet. "Here, hold onto me then." He pulled her to him the trace dirt and water plastering to his own skin. If she could, his cheek was at his own, and she could feel a layer of growing stubble, the beat of his heart against her. He allowed her to hold onto him as he attempted to use his free hand to continue, raking the liquid in his now free hands as he reached, motioning the lather and suds into her hair. He needed to be thorough.

"I haven't really spoken to anyone in a long time Marai, so sorry if I kind of suck at it." He just suddenly started talking. Talking about nothing, but he noticed she seemed to calm down a bit when he did. "This reminds of this one time. I was like eight or something. Summer vacation. I was going to meet a friend of mine at the beach. Remember the beach? I bet you went a lot. Well, this one was at Odaiba Beach. You know the one. It has the carnival. The giant ferris whell and the roller coaster." Her hair was suds and white foam when he turned a little to face her, just an inch or so away. He was reaching for her hand, taking it. "You remember roller coasters. They go up..." He took her hand and followed the path of it. "Chugagaga and then Whoooo!" He made her hand go in the direction as if copying the track it goes, while another pitcher of water fell on her hair to clean the suds off. "That one." He went back to hugging her, his body shifting for another pitcher. "Anyway. Shinji, my friend. We were planning this for weeks. I'd take the B line, the subway and meet him in front of the entrance. Then we'd have the carnival, the beach- hehe. Sounds like a date right? How about it Marai? When the world gets fixed." Not a chance in hell. He whispered in her ear. "You want to go out with me? The beach is perfect. We'll talk, snow cones, rides. Then go swimming. Or maybe not swimming." No water, even though another cascade fell over her head, but he kept talking even if she would thrash. "Anyway, I was on the subway, then bam, thunder. Gray skies. A sudden storm, and a big one. I mean HUGE. Not like a hurricane or anything, but so much rain and wind. I just got to the station when Shinji called me to cancel. What I get for trying to be early." Another cascade. "So there I am, eight years old. Alone. In the rain and wind. I should have just went back on the train, but I was stupid. I looked forward to it for weeks right." Another pitcher, almost done. "So I was like, screw it! I rode all the rides I could. I ran into the water. There was like no lines, no anyone. Just this dumb kid in the rain. All my stuff got completely soaked, and I was sick the next two days for being in damp clothes on the AC'd subway, but you know what?" More water. "Totally worth it."

"And good timing." He let the pitcher into the water, and gave her a big hug. "We're done. You did so good Marai. I'm proud." He giggled despite himself. It was so strange he had to laugh. "Come on." He helped her onto her feet, and pulled her from the tub, dripping with water. Not a perfect job but much much better. "You look good as new." He had to get away from her for just a second as a towel goes over her shoulders, his arms running up and down her shoulders, her back. He was going to keep one towel for her, then another inorder to start wiping her hair. It kind of made a mess of it, but atleast was cleaner, a little shinier too.
 
Marai didn't understand.. Normally when he had treated her human, Hiroki had gotten a good response from her, but this, this she couldn't handle. Inside though, she wouldn't likely get as dirty as she had standing out in the rain, cold and heat for years. It would have been much easier, if she could have told him the fear, explained it, but neither of them could truly communicate with the other; both sides of that issue on Marai herself. Hiroki was good at talking to her, soothing her, it was Marai that didn't understand and couldn't talk back to him.

Hiroki was quick though and he seemed to understand without her being able to speak though. The brush of her cheek against his alone distracted her, the rougher texture drawing her attention, but it was his words more than that that soothed her. Allowed to hug him, Marai did so without hesitation, clinging to him. Her hold wasn't tight, but it was desperate. Her trembling vibrated them both when she leaned into him, wet and miserable. Slowly, the trembling subsided and she nuzzled her cheek to his, finding the rougher texture appealing as he told her his story. When Hiroki pulled back some she let him, listening to his tale. Her eyes followed the hands as they rose and fell on the path of the roller coaster. Marai's eyes seemed to light up and she snuggled back into him, the fear of the water vanishing. This close, she had no fear. Hiroki was her safe place. When had he become that? It was before today, she'd never really feared him.. There was no way to know when he'd become that for her, today had only solidified that place in her limited world for him.

She would have liked that, going to the theme park with him. The human girl had known it but never been. His question though, she seemed to understand, her head bobbing in agreement and her arms tightening around him a fraction. If she did understand the moment slipped away like water through her fingers. When the water fell over her head, she leaned back, as if trying to avoid getting him wet... not that it would matter as she leaned back into him once it was over, soaking him anyway. She did this each time he poured the water over her hair. She'd been enthralled listening to his voice when he hugged her. A sigh left her and she leaned into him.

Gently lifted to her feet, she was helped from the tub. Marai's hair had always been odd, but now clean he could see her hair was like quicksilver. As he bundled her in towels and began to dry her hair, it would even feel softer. Not like it once had, but a vast improvement over the straw like texture. Her skin was pale and still slightly off color, but mostly clean. He'd done a good job, given the difficulties she'd presented him. Lifting a corner of the towel, Marai inspected it, before putting it in her mouth to chew on. Turning to look at him, the wet zombie girl smiled some, eyes closing for a moment before she wandered out of his bathroom. Dripping wet, she wandered into the living room of his apartment, looking around once more, chewing on her towel. The length barely concealed anything as it slowly dropped from her shoulders and then to the floor, slipping from her mouth as it landed with a soft plop. Looking down at it, she wandered further into the room, fingers brushing along a can.
 
And then she chewed on the towel... He looked at her with a kind of blank expression before he broke out into jitters and chuckles. It was cute, she did it pretty easily. "Hehe. Hilarious." But while he was looking away, mostly to figure out what she was going to wear. "Alright, just stay here, I should ha-" And then her figure just, walked by. She was still dripping wet and was making her way back into the living room. "Hey, Marai, you're still wet." But it was no good, he went off to go grab something quick, a shirt, large for him, and probably more like a night shirt for her. He didn't want her dripping everywhere.

He quickly pulled the plug on the ground. He caught up to her, towel on the floor, naked and still glistening from the shower. He was lucky she just stopped. "Really wanted out of that bathroom hmm." He reached down and picked up the towel balling it up under his arm hanging it on a wall hook set for a compass for a long excursion. He saw her go back to wandering, towards the living room, her hand on a can. It was a snack he had this morning, pineapples. He followed after her, stopping her with a hand on his shoulder. "What is it? Hungry?" He asked her with a grin. He rolled his shirt out. "Wonder if you eat normal food. Probably meat am I right? Might have something. Don't worry. It's not dog food." He didn't want to feed her that, atleast not if he didn't have to.

He slipped the shirt over her head, over her shoulders. Yeah she was still a little wet, but the thinness of the shirt would dry up quickly enough, and the red shirt with some band logo on it was atleast enough to cover her, almost going all the way to her thighs. He had to wrestle her arms into the sleeves. "See you wear it like this." He actually had to reach into her sleeves, poking around her frame in order to bend her arm to pull it through the sleeve. He might have brushed against her breast while helping her, perky breasts molding as the back of his hand or thumb touched it. Eventually, he had her looking... less naked again.

He then stepped back. "I'll get dinner started. You like spam? Jerky? Im out of eggs. But I even have a few chickens. They're on the roof. Can't imagine the hell it took me to catch them." He went to the kitchen, a propane stove top set up that could grill and fry things. He took a pan and opened up two cans. One had green beans in it, the other was a congealed mystery meat that sizzled the moment it hit the pan. He began to cut it into slivers, bite sized chunks, and using a fork to stir it. It wasn't a huge dinner, but he would have some green and meat with her, but his back was to her, and he could only hope she wasn't up to something. He set the food onto two plates. "There we go. A feast." He laughed. He wondered if zombies drank too? He never seen them, but Marai was different.
 
Neither that wetness that she tracked all over his apartment of her nakedness seemed to bother her as she chewed on the towel, wandering almost aimlessly through the apartment, tracking small, wet foot prints and trailing little water droplets in her wake. Turning to look at him, her bare breasts moving slightly with the movement. His voice distracting her for a moment. She watched as he picked up the towel, but went back to wandering when what he was doing wasn't of interest to her. Tilting the can as she wandered, looking at other things in his apartment that caught her eye.

Marai only stopped when he placed hand on her shoulder. Her head lowered and she nuzzled the appendage sweetly, eyes closing as she smiled some. When his hand moved, her eyes opened and she made a soft sound of protest. Marai it seemed was not easily going to out grow her desire for him to be near, or touch her. When Hiroki moved the shirt over her head she stilled, unsure what was happening, though the red tinged darkness faded so she could see him once again. It would take some effort to put her arms through the sleeves as she just tried to hold his hand when it came near her and once she had it, he was able to pull her arm through... though getting his hand back was another task. She was more vocal now, her sounds soft but the tone clear. First wanting, as she fought to capture his hand, then dismissive as he tried to take it back and clearly pouty as he won the little fight for his hand.

Marai looked down at her new shirt, and then back to him. She watched him walk away and this time she stayed in place, rather than following inches from him as she had been doing in the bathroom. Hands brushed the softness of the shirt, but it was sticking to her oddly because she was wet. Something about that feeling made Marai uneasy and after a few moments she'd managed to wrestle herself out of the shirt, sounds of a struggle perhaps heard, though not loudly, as she squirmed the shirt off. Naked once more she went back to looking at the things in his apartment. Something drew her eyes to it, it reminded her of the song on the TV, a brightly colored Manga. Pulling it out, a few things fell with it, other books mostly as she pulled it towards her face.

A rumble came from her stomach as the smell of food filled the apartment. Making a sound she turned back towards where she had last seen Hiroki, book in her hands. She came closer as he spoke. First he'd feel the manga against his arm and then something soft. Her breasts pillowing against his back as she looked around him. Her stomach rumbled again and she made a soft whine. Head lowering she nibbled at the edge of his sleeve, her teeth worrying the fabric alone. Her eyes honed in on the food, but Marai seemed almost polite, not reaching for it. Her eyes rolled up to him. The curve of her breast was easily seen if he looked down. Her dull eyes showed some sign of life, no longer empty as she chewed on his shirt gently, making soft noises of hunger.
 
Her motions, squirming out of the shirt and silhouetting herself in the waning sunlight from the balcony, somehow he didn't notice her, not until her form came up from behind him. The book striking his arm got his attention, her noises giving him a little grin. He was about to respond when he felt something soft press to his back. It caused his eyes and head to raise. He was prepared for it (sort of) in the bathroom, but now it made his skin prickle and heart beat. It was a good feeling, if a little conflicting. He turned his head to see her nibble on his shirt. She was hungry by the eyes on the food and her teeth soaking at his sleeve. She was so passive he thought for a second she didn't need food. Amazing that most of the zombies seemed to last way longer than biology would allow. Then he noticed her bare shoulders, the valley between her breasts as she snuggled against his arm. "Marai." he said feigning surprise before settling with a grin "You're killing me. I haven't seen a pretty girl in months and you want to run around naked? Maybe you don't like red." He was talking to distract himself... its been longer then months... he tried not to think about it, but it was enough to get his blood a little hot. He constantly had to remind himself not to even think about it.

Their eyes met and he smiled beside himself. There was a flicker in her eyes that seemed to kick in a bunch of instincts. Protect, nurture, charm. "Alright alright." He cut a piece of the sizzling meat from the pain and forked it. He brought it up to his mouth, blowing on it a couple times before dropping it in his hand to make sure it wasn't too hot. It was a morsel, one piece of the small pile he was cooking. He took it between his fingers. He held it to her, "Here. Hope you like it." It was just a piece of canned meat. Mediocre but not like there was a variety anymore.

When he managed to get his arm back, he plated the green beans and rest of the meat, giving her more of the meat then him... another experiment if she could eat vegetables again. He hoped she could, otherwise his stock would be even more limited. He held the plates and walked over to the living room. "We'll eat on the couch. Atleast I could cover you up in a blanket or something." He figured she was going to hold onto his arm until she had something to fill her hands...

And speaking of. "Oh god." He managed to laugh, recognizing the cover. "Guess you found my stash. Trust me Marai, when you don't have to go scavenging or gardening this place can get dull. Books, comics, mangas. They're all there, and I pretty sure I have some in the closet. I wasn't like an otaku or anything but-" He managed to sit down, the plates and utensils going on to a place on the coffee table among bullet casings, maps, tools. "I could read them to you. Might pass the time." He began to work on his own, appreciating the food, though his eyes watched her, see if she was going to enjoy it, or atleast use the utensils.
 
Snuggled against him, the softness of her body pressed against him, Marai was unaware of the conflict she would cause in Hiroki. Had she been human she never would have pressed herself against him like this, at least... not so soon. perhaps if they had been more, she might have. Having never been there, she had no way of knowing. Her teeth harmlessly worried at his shirt as she pushed the book closer to him. Even the zombie girl didn't know what she wanted. The book, like everything else that held her attention, was hard to place as to why. What about it drew her? What did she want him to do with it. Shifting some, her body slid along his until her breasts pillowed his arm. No shame in her actions, she peered up at him. She didn't understand him of course, though, had she, she might have told him she didn't like clothing when wet... not that she had let him dry her off.

When their eyes met, his shift fell from her mouth and she smiled slightly, that way she'd been learning to do from watching him. Her eyes shifted as his hand went to the food and then came back with a piece of meat. Intently she watched him blow on it, and when she held it to her she leaned up pressing herself against him more firmly than she had yet to get the offered food. Her mouth opened and with an almost clear gentleness, she nibbled at the meat until he let it go, but not before her rough tongue brushed his fingers and she made a soft, almost mewling sound at the taste of the food. When he wiggled himself free, she allowed it, instead laying her head on his back, chewing on the meat. It was as if the primal side of her nature wasn't completely gone. After awhile she swallowed and backed up as he stood up and turned, plates in hand. Though, her hand moved to his arm as he walked past, letting him pull her along as well. Marai offered no resistance, no aggression like the little puppy she seemed to be.

When he sat, talking to her she followed him. She watched him eat for a little while, but after so long she couldn't take it anymore. Whimpering she leaned forward to try and nab the bite of food heading for his mouth. Marai it seemed, didn't understand the concept of feeding herself or she did and refused to when he would feed her like he had. Her clean cheek rubbed against his hand and she whimpered again. Sitting as she was, her breasts falling forward, knees together, both hands on his arm as she all but puppy dog eyed his food. Her eyes shifted to him again and another little whimper.
 
Her tongue brought another tingle to him, another moment of conflict. It was a shiver running through him, causing little prickles on his arms, his back. Another moment where his head did battle with the rest of him. The more she clung to him, the more he felt the suppleness of her. The more his mind wandered, maybe his hand risking... just a touch. A touch to tie him over, though he doubted he'd be able to sleep that night without some relief. It was a sickening feeling for multiple ways but he couldn't deny it was there. Thankfully a hunger growl snapped him from it...

Until she whimpered. He was about to go for the meat, thats when her face came into view. She was calling to him, rubbing against his arm, her mewls and eyes begging for his portion... though her own seemed untouched. He smiled at first, thinking it cute if odd but again, what did he expect. He was trying to treat her as normal but- "Marai, what? You have your-" He looked in her direction, practically kneeling up towards him, a soft sway to her breasts, and a longing in her eyes. "Own..." He lowered his arms as he looked up. He was not going to win this. He gave her another glance, a sideways smirk. "I swear you're doing this on purpose." Tempting him.

He looked at the speared meat on the fork, he offered it to her, holding it up playfully. "Here then. Open." he would lean towards her, showing her how to do it. "Open, ahh? Ahh." He would atleast try, hopefully she wouldn't be biting hard on the metal. For a moment, he'd just be getting closer to her face, his mouth open and probably looking quite strange.

However if she was difficult, he would have the fork slice through his disk of meat to make sizable chunks, dragging her plate over to his side. He diced it with one hand, realizing he would probably have to get used to it, as she has most assuredly claimed it as she did his lighter and manga. He held up a chunk leaning forwards towards her. "I guess this is alright for now." He held to her again, "I'd say you're kind of needy Marai, but honestly I can't say no to those eyes." He then settled, his motions wary, just a bit as he popped piece after piece into her mouth, giving her a chance to chew, swallow, look for more. He even tried to offer her a pea, see if she had a difference in taste.

Eventually he settled into it, kind of find a zen and even joy in just casually feeding her by hand. A few times his fingers would linger on her lips, seeing if she would react, trying to feel the warmth move from his skin to hers, feeling the very subtle softness of it. "You like being pampered hmm?" He thought a moment, before reaching for another piece. Her leaning like that couldn't have been comfortable. "Here, might enjoy it like this." He would pull her to him, gently but firm her face to his chest, better to reach around her. It was a bit awkward, but he would eventually have her lying across the coach with him, her head in his lap and looking up at him. He grinned down at her, grabbing the plate and balancing it over the arm rest. "See? Better." Another piece for her, like he was feeding her grapes. "Make sure you dont choke though." He would eventually finish both of the plates, and his arm would just rest across her chest and shoulder, letting them digest a moment, in contact with eachother.
 
Treating her like a normal girl would have been fine, had she understood. The problem however, was she simply didn't. Marai looked human but that was where that humanity ended. In almost every other way, Marai was dependent on Hiroki. She could have perhaps fed herself had he slowly helped her relearn how to do so. The idea was simple enough, the true issue would have been aim. So, begging like a puppy had been the best solution for her in truth, though she didn't actually know that. She'd seen him eating and had simply wanted to eat as well. Without the understanding of his and hers, her simplistic mind had solely seen him eating and wished to do so as well. He was clearly feeding himself, which meant he could also feed her.

She'd never been the sort of girl when she had been alive to do something like this on purpose. Though, with the right person, perhaps she would have. She shifted closer, pressing her body along his as she stretched up, mouth open. Had she been a puppy, there was little doubt her tail would have been wiggling so hard that she would have swayed in place. As it was, she wiggled a bit, her rear shimmying side to side. Chewing on the bite he'd offered her, she'd almost immediately latched onto his arm, cradling his forearm between her breasts. Marai was still cool to the touch, but less so. Would he notice the sluggish beat of her heart with his arm so close? When Hiroki shifted she clung to his arm tighter. Much like his lighter and manga, he was right; the appendage was now hers.

She ate happily as he hand fed her, nothing turned away... not even the pea. Though by the slowly growing animations of her face, it hadn't been her favorite. Her nose wrinkling some. It was odd, but she did begin to notice when his fingers lingered. Her lips were still a bit chapped, but underneath the tips of his fingers they were plush. One of the times when his fingers lingered she kissed them, much like she had with his imaginary burn. Her eyes meeting his with the gently press of her lips. A small part of her brain warning. She wanted to nip him, not bite and definitely not harm. Like a puppy might, when teething or in a sign of affection. The other part of her brain seemed to know that for the dangerous action it would be seen as. Little alarm bells of a sort going off in her mind, warning her away.

The silent and unknown argument in her brain vanished as he spoke. She liked being pampered? Of course she didn't understand, but the human girl would have liked it, yes. It was sweet and showed care for her. She stilled as he pulled her into him. The movements of their bodies were odd as she squirmed and he tried to keep her from tumbling away. Finally though after a few accidental brushes of her body against him or his against her she was settled on the couch with her head in his lap. Tilting her head some, Marai squirmed gently as if trying to get a better view of him. However, that all stopped as his arm settled across her chest. A sigh of contentment left the zombie girl and they soon found a new rhythm of feeding and eating.

When the bite of food was finished her cheek nuzzled against his chest, his warmth deeply appealing to the undead girl. She wasn't warm herself, having been "dead" so long. Even now with her heart trying to circulate her sluggish blood, she remained cold. Hiroki was warm. There was something else too... Her head turned toward his chest again. There was something that was catching her attention. While he'd not bathed in truth, though she had gotten him wet enough as he'd bathed her, his smell lingered beneath. She inhaled again, eyes closing. her nose gently rubbing against his stomach as she nuzzled him once more. A sound was made in her throat, the sound pleased.
 
It was getting harder. Her petite cool body snuggling on him, the soft sway and give of her pale skin. It just reminded him how long its been. He had plenty of- material to deal with certain urges, but a girl, a naked girl that just rubbed herself over him. How he wished he could. How he wished there was no risk... but that voice of reason became less and less so. He felt his cheeks flare, his stomach tingle, his legs shake, and blood rushing and warming to certain limbs. He immediately regretted it when he had her head in his lap, feeding her feeling the little flicker of her tongue and the softness of her lips. Her noises just seemed to add to it, a cute and pure happiness for him. She seemed to grateful, so happy. And honestly, so was he.

He only had peas left when she nestled into his stomach, a soft breath was heard. A breath... He was never close enough to notice if the dead breathed. Maybe, it didn't mean anything but the sound of contentment was enough to earn her a smile. He ate the peas himself, and basically shoveled the rest of the contents of the plate in his mouth, appreciating just a meal. "And our first dinner together." He said, setting the plate on the arm rest, he didn't want to disturb her. "Dinner, and I have you naked on my couch cuddling up to me." He laughed despite himself. "I guess it was a good date." With her head curling into him, her shoulder would be softly rubbed as he held her, the other free hand nestled in her hair. He was petting her, stroking her in his lap, simply enjoying the delicate strange beautiful creature in his embrace. His nails traced through her light hair, feeling the smoothness of her scalp, the shower making the matt that much smoother.

He thought about what to do next. "I know there's alot to do around here, but honestly I don't want to move." He told her, annoucing the room. "Thinking I could read that manga you got until we sleep. Do you sleep Marai?" He snickered, knowing she wouldn't answer with words. "I have a feeling you won't let me sleep alone." His words brought that thought again, he looked at her form, the curves. She must have been gorgeous when she was alive, and- she kind of still is. He saw the shape of her hip, how gravity took her squishy tits, how her legs pressed together, the hairs and lip of the sex was just seen. Don't think about it, don't think... there was no way he was going to sleep that night without some kind of relief. But how would he get himself alone from her... would it be so bad... just touching himself... would she mind?

"And-" He gulped, his hand went from her shoulder to stroke down her back slowly, his hand opened so that his finger tips traced over her skin. Dead, cool, but still so soft. "I- it might be hard, if you're cuddling like this...." His hand traced down her side, her ribs, and stomach, just to the curve of her hip. "I- I might touch something I don't mean too... Hope you don't mind." His hand went to her stomach, then... upwards, slowly. His hand brushed underneath one of her breasts, his fingertips pushing against the soft mound. Then another finger joined in, then another... soon, her breast was engulfed in his warm hand. God he felt so sick, but the thought became need. He moved it around, feeling it bounce and squish. It was- fun. It was stimulating. Her face in his lip, she might even feel his pants pitch a tent against the interior of his pants, getting excited. His breath went heavy as he added a bit more strength to it. "This is alright... Marai?" He whispered.

Thump

He felt it, and that made him go still. "What?" He looked at her. A moment later his put his full palm against the slope of her chest. When he felt it again, he withdrew his hand slowly. "A heartbeat..." Breath and a heartbeat. What did the internet say before the fall. "But- zombies are dead. There shouldn't be-"
 
There was no way for the zombie girl to know exactly how difficult she was making things for poor Hiroki. Had she understood, as a zombie, would she have cared? Would understanding make her not a zombie anymore? So many questions and she didn't consider a single one of them. Marai definitely didn’t understand exactly how she was affecting him. Her brain simply didn't work like that. She couldn't even process thoughts one moment to the next. She acted purely on instinct. She wanted to be closer to him. She liked shiny things. She had liked the food, even the icky little green things. She hadn't understood how to feed herself, but he clearly knew how, so turned to him for help. It was all very basic.

She looked up at him as he rumbled with his laugh and she smiled, turning her head back into his stomach. The little touches only soothed Marai further. The hand on her shoulder warm and comforting and the one that slid into her hair, less like straw now and almost soft. It would take several more baths to get it back to that once silky softness, if that was even possible... It also meant several more rounds of wrestling with her and the water she had hated so much. Marai closed her eyes. If she had been a kitten she likely would have purred, though she wasn't aloof... puppy suited her better. Slowly her eyes opened and she looked up at him once more. She would happily do what he wanted to do. She hadn't slept since becoming a zombie, but she didn't know that and couldn't tell him anyway. So no answer came other than her soft smile that she was still learning to mimic from him.

Once again, he wasn't wrong Marai wouldn't be happy away from him. She didn't know that yet, because she didn't understand. but they would both find that out the hard way should Hiroki try. Lashes dropped once more as he stroked her back, much like before comforted by the touch of his fingers. Now bathed, her skin was much softer than it had been, the dirt and grim having been washed from it. The tips of his fingers played along her skin and she shifted some, almost as if when his fingers brushed her side, it had tickled.

She shifted along the couch, rolling to her back firmly and once more she was looking up at him as his fingers slid up her stomach. She didn't really notice the slow play of fingers, but she did notice the warmth of his hand as he cupped one breast. The weight of it was no different had she been alive, the main difference was she wasn't warm like he was. As he played with her breast a shade of color filled her cheeks. Had she been alive, it might have looked like blush. Now it just was different. It was almost as if she knew what was happening in some part of her mind. Her lips parted a small little breath huffing out just as her heart gave a beat.

She didn't notice his shock, the only thing she noticed was his hand moving, palm placed flat above her breast. When her heart after several long moments gave another thump, his hand withdrew. She didn't understand, the poor little zombie girl. Arm lifted and his hand was caught in her own. She pulled his hand back down to rest between the valley of her breasts. She didn't so much demand more touching, sexual or otherwise. His hand was hers though. Cuddling it she smiled again. She had liked the touching, she had liked just the gentle pets and she had liked just having his palm on her. For the moment, she wasn't fussy... that wouldn't always be the case.
 
It was hard to know what, if, she was feeling. He felt like he was doing something very wrong by doing that, but then she just pulled his hand back to her. Of course she did. She was pretty much doing that the entire time he knew her. The need for touch. To feel him. She seemed to latch onto it, and doing so there was a smidge of pure joy in it. It was enough to assuage his fears. On one hand, simply feeling her wasn't beyond the pale. It sent a dangerous precedent. He swore he saw some color change slightly too. That also added some evidence. She made a happy sound and he leaned over a little over her, a slight smile to his lips. "Hmm. Yeah I guess I'm not getting my hand back." His thumb seemed to stroke over her hairline and forehead. "Hey, if it helps you. I'm not complaining."

His hand on her chest flexed back and forth, fingertips gently stroking over the smooth supple skin, his other hand stroking back and forth over her forehead. Mostly he was just feeling for that heartbeat, seeing the ways she reacted. Her instincts and desires shining through. It was simple at first, but there was intention to it. He doubted it was anything too complex. His warmth, or attention. He couldn't really guess, but he would share good news when he felt it. "Maybe you're not as sick as the other ones. Or you're getting better. You have a heartbeat. Color in your cheeks. Still a little cold, but nothing a blanket couldn't fix." He looked off towards the bedroom, the closet had the linens. It's not like he had heat in the pipes anymore, so he'd have to make due with fires and layers of clothes.

It got him thinking, what was going to happen when he needed to sleep. He gave a soft exhale as he rambled off his thoughts. "To be honest, I don't really know too much, other than what the internet had before it went down. Zombies right. The walking dead. But dead doesn't have heartbeats." He used his free hand to kind of pull her into his arms, letting her head rest on her forearm while he held her shoulder, though he stroked her cheek, or get flushed cheeks.

He thought about how he touched, groped her, and while she still held it in her grasp, he became a little curious, his hand moved enough that he could push gently against the giving flesh, fingertips feeling the little discolored nub at their center. He pushed against one of her nipples, then back again, seeing if there was any reaction to it, whether it would harden. He was still cautious but already let his own desires start breaking through, more and more of his thoughts pushing logic aside in favor of pleasures and comforts. "I'm kind of wondering how much of you still reacts normally. I know, kind of makes me a bit of a pervert I guess, but I can't resist Marai." He'd need to get it out of system before things got really bad.

"Don't supposed you'd let me go to the bathroom for a bit." He knew he was being less than nice but honestly there was something nice about this. Just holding, cuddling, playing a bit.
 
Nope. It was hers, slowly whether or not either of them noticed the change, Hiroki was becoming hers as well. Was it a zombie trait? Was it something between what she had once been and was now? Whatever it was, she was becoming attached to the sweet human boy. A small part of her brain warned her to be wary, for she'd seen him kill the one zombie, but he'd never once hurt her. Even in the act of bathing her Marai had not seen him as an enemy, but the water. He had always been safe, it was why she had clung to him like she had. Now, on the couch, he'd fed her and was now holding her close to him.

The touches that Hiroki gave Marai were comforting and it only further solidified how she felt around him. She listened to him talk, muse about what might be happening to her. A lot of what people knew back then, albeit after she was changed was that when you became a zombie, you were "dead". Perhaps it was less a death and more a virus, one that would either fade in time or could be cured. She made a soft sound pulled into his lap a little more, though her head rested on his forearm. When she was still in his arms, the desire to move back vanished and she lay contently in his arms. Her cheek pressed into his hand and she nuzzled it, eyes closing.

As his hand slid back along between the valley of her breasts Marai's eyes opened and she watched him, silently. When his finger brushed against her nipple at first there was not much of a reaction from the girl in his arms, but when his finger played over the nub, it slowly hardened and her lips parted. She'd liked the feeling, though the reason as to why was a little lost on her. It had felt good though and had caused a reaction in her body that she didn't understand and couldn't tell Hiroki about.

Had she been human and a more than willing participant, she would have told him while perhaps a little perverted, she didn't mind. She understood that need. Before, when she'd been human, she might not have known the touch of another, but she had touched herself. Knew the pleasure and heady feeling when release came and left one panting in their bed. Her eyes moved to his face and one hand rose to rest over his heart, much like his hand had done to her.

Any dreams of being separated from Marai for any real period of time was foolhardy at this point. If he wanted to satisfy his urge, she would likely be within sight... Or trying to get in.
 
Again it was all no matter, no bother, just an appreciation of his affection, and attentions. She looked up at him, nuzzling his hand, her lips parting when he played with her. Her nipple hardened, so there was still something. A bit of nerves, a bit of blood, and muscle. Her body was working in a reactive way. It made him wonder as he looked down further at her. He closed his eyes and gave a deep breath. "Okay- Sorry Marai, but better to get it out of the way." He looked back at her gentle from his finger tips petting against her cheeks. "Might be more fun than sitting here talking to myself am I right?"

He unfortunately would have to sit Marai up in order to get his own hand back. If she made a noise of complaint he would answer. "I know you're comfortable, but if I don't do this, I'm going to go crazy. You'll have me all night. Promise." He couldn't help but feel like some kind of owner figure to her. It made a strange feeling all the more... conflicting. He already decided, though Marai may eventually remember, hate him, it was the best he can do for himself and her. "Besides, you'd be helping me. I think you were trying a few times." He would bend her upwards, his arm still in her grasp at her chest, the other on her shoulder, her back to him until he sat up enough for her to rest against his own, her petite frame leaning against him. "There we go."

He kept her steady as his palmed rubbed up and down her shoulder as he wrestled his held arm from her grasp, only to have it go lower... from her chest, to her stomach, feeling the thin frame of her stomach, the soft contours and curves until going lower. He puts his hand on her thigh, feeling it, petting it up and down, his grip strengthening to feel the skin give a bit. His motions slowly begin to move to her interior, coaxing her legs to spread a little bit. All the while, she could feel his breath against his shoulder, his lips on her neck. He could smell the soap, still feel the freshness even if the kin underneath was a bit cool. "Remember how you tensed in the bath? Just do that again and I'll stop if you want." He doubted she'd understand, but he wanted to give her something.

His fingers felt the fine hairs that crowned her flower. So far, he recalled that everything was how it should be from the bath, but now he can see, the cute little folds that formed the top of the lips. His fingertips pushed against them as he cupped his hands around, pushing at the tender skin. He felt her little nub, felt where the skin ended at her labia. His finger tips simply teased, probed, tried to see it by touch. He stroked it, listening waiting for whatever reaction she might have had. He felt that stirring in himself, feeling his pants tighten as his blood ran hot. Still a woman... beautiful, cute, even kind of sexy. His hands left her shoulder as he began to fumble with his pants. It was the best he could do, feel her up as he felt himself. Get it out of his system. That desire for touch, quelling his hormones.
 
The touch to her cheeks, much like any touch provided by Hiroki was savored by Marai. As he adjusted her she did in fact make a sound of complaint, not wanting to move. She did after a moment stop fighting the adjustment and allowed him to position her as he desired. Her back to his chest she leaned in against his warmth; almost like a kitten in a sunbeam, seeking out that heat and basking in it. Another little wrestling match as he tried to free his arm from her grasp. "Nnnnnnn" Finally that one too he won and she made a small sound of annoyance. Like a huff of air as his hand slid to her stomach. The touching soothed her though, the petting along her stomach and even her thighs. She relaxed against him, content for the moment to simply let Hiroki pet her.

However when his hand slipped lower she shifted against him and after a moment of coaxing her legs parted just enough for his hand to slip between them. That odd color was coming to her cheeks again. Marai didn't understand what was happening nearly as well as her body seemed to. Unknown to the zombie girl, her body was already changing further. The curl of his breath along her shoulder, the press of lips, where his hand was seeking, it all added up to a singular thing; arousal. His fingers brushed the short hair that the human girl had always kept cropped close or smooth depending on her mood. If his fingers probed far enough, they might have discovered Marai's most recent secret; a slickness that had not been there before.

When Hiroki moved his hand, she shifted, making a grab for it while he fumbled. What would happen next was unlikely to help Hiroki's predicament. His hand was dragged back to her breast and held there. It wasn't Marai's fault she didn't understand. She'd liked his hand there, when he'd first felt that slow thump of her heart. She'd just moved it too far, so his hand now was forced to curl around the softness of her breast. The hardened peek of her nipple pressed against his warm palm. Nuzzling against him she made soft sounds in her throat, almost like she was trying to talk.

What would the zombie girl have said? In truth, Marai had she been alive and found Hiroki, might have been far more than willing to have him touch her. Had she lived, not been bitten, he was likely the first human she'd have encountered in a long long time. Her reasoning for being a willing participant? Likely a bit selfish, but she wouldn't have wanted to die a virgin. It didn't hurt that Hiroki was sweet, cute and all things considered a gentleman. It wasn't his fault that the zombie in his lap was so touchy, clingy or naked.
 
He barely had time to undo his belt and button before she twisted in his grasp, "Hey." He said from the sudden spring of movement just to have it settle back on her chest. He only considered it for a moment before her body settled back against him, a soft sound emanating from her throat. He couldn't help but laugh a bit as she seemed to curl back into his embrace. He pulled against her chest and her stomach, giving her a hug as he settled back against the arm of the couch with her. He wasn't going to get himself undone like this so he figured why not. He waited this long. "I know exactly what you're doing." He said playfully. "So let me guess. I can't even let you go now." He sighed. "Maybe that's a new strategy. Use your cuteness to sucker survivors in. Congrats Marai." His cheek nuzzling against her ear for a moment as he shifted a little to find comfort, though if she were more alert and sensative, it was obvious he was already quite hard, and the bulge was settling at her lower back. He wondered if he was going to explode, risk it all for a moment of pent up satisfaction. Would condoms protect him, did he even have any? Buried in his bedside drawer, just in case...

He then gave his hand a squeeze and he peered over her shoulder. She was cuddling his arm, and it seemed perfectly settled on her breast. He felt the nub in his palm felt the soft supple skin squeeze and give. Did she put it there on purpose? Then he noticed her legs spreading a little bit to him. He wondered if this was her want, or she was just reacting. Maybe rather than hunger, she just was more a creature of sensation, base desire. Or maybe it was... He rolled her breast around again, a slight tug and pull before he felt that urge. Did she want him to touch her because of interest, did it feel good, or was it just the attention? He gritted his teeth. "Damn I wish you could talk."

In for a penny... he focused back on Marai. She wanted the attention atleast, and seemed to react to him. Maybe she would like it, he knew he would. A constant kneading of her breast, slow, methodical as fingers and palm massaged her nipple, his fingers his hand went back to the scrapings of hair that covered her petals. He pushed against it, going deeper, fingertips coasting over the edge and pressing against the lips causing them to move aside. His middle finger touched something fleshy, wet. He made a soft exhale against her neck as he looked at his probing hand. He reached deeper, running the digit between her lips, letting the slick liquid coat them. It was even a little warmer than the rest of her.

He pulled his hand from her, and he studied it, letting his thumb run over it. He was surprised again, just how alive she felt. "Wow..." he said, trying to remember if he had ever gotten this far with his ex-girlfriend. Maybe, in a heated moment of making out. It brought back those memories. The excitement, the longing. It was strange, but wonderful. He put his hand back on her flower, and began to run his fingers up and down, stroking her pussy and spreading more and more of that lust that he was eking from her, feeling the soft wiggle and the subtle definition of her entrance. He felt the forbidden softness of it all, found it just as pleasing as playing with her chest. "Marai." he whispered in her ear. "I don't know how, but you still react this way too. Do you feel anything? Flushness? Shortness of breath? Tingling? I knew you were alive Marai. We might just need to coax it out." He pushed a little deeper against her, threatening her entrance... until a single digit managed to slip into her tightness, feeling flesh and lust coil around it.
 
The hug would only encourage her, Marai both needed and wanted his touch. Her head turned towards him when he said he knew what she was doing and the look on her face was almost puzzled as if asking what am I doing? A sweet sound came bubbling out of her mouth, his tone provoking it. It would have been an ingenious plan, had it been a plan. Marai was very unlikely to bite Hiroki. Okay, that was a lie, she might nibble on him at some point. She had a fondness for such things, much like the cuddling in which he was being forced to partake in. Either way, his cheek nuzzling against her ear made another delighted sound slip from Marai, snuggling closer to him still. Her small little rear wiggled back against him, seeking to be as close as she could. The bad news for Hiroki was that she pressed that softness of her ass right against his growing erection; wiggling against it firmly before a sigh of sorts left her and she stilled.

Her eyes closed almost lazily when he rolled the supple skin of her breast in his hand. It felt good and the baser needs of her body knew what it needed. Which in turn made her react. Marai very much enjoyed the touches. All touched. However, the sexual ones were quickly becoming her favorite, the pleasant feelings the determining factor. Unknown to the slowly but steadily horny zombie girl in his lap, Hiroki was slowly losing that will to not accept what she gave him freely, eagerly even. A soft huff left her as he gave in, hand and fingers playing with her and then, Hiroki discovered her secret. The slickness that had been slowly building between her thighs, just within her petals.

Eyes watched his hand as it pulled from between her legs, the glistening slickness clear. His voice had changed, but Marai was distracted by the feel of his warm fingers, the way they touched her. Her breathing was too slow to tell when it shifted and her cheeks had remained flushed. There was a definite tingling, an almost sweet ache. Lips parted as Hiroki's fingers pressed against her and almost suddenly to her it slipped inside her. Marai inhaled and whimpered. Unlike the whimpers from before, there was no fear there. No, it was needy and there was an underlying desire. Her body knew what it needed and her hips rose slightly against that finger, pushing it just a touch deeper. Her lips brushed his cheek and then, the softest scrape of teeth along his jaw. Marai clearly wasn't trying to bite him, at best it was an amorous nip. Eyes closed and Marai gently nuzzled her freshly washed hair against him.
 
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