She was showered and dressed now. Cu had been side tracked by Fergus and was told to go help organize survivors. Veda was on her way to the cafeteria for some food when Shirou bumped into her.

"Veda!" He gasped and threw his arms around her holding her tightly.

"Hey." She said.

"I was so worried. What the hell happened out there? You took the curse out of the dead!"

She looked into his eyes and brought her hands to his chest.

"I..... was dreaming, I saw Medea ...We need to talk. Get Fergie and I'll get Cu, we can all meet in the cafeteria, I'm starving!" She replies.

"You're always hungry. " Shirou laughed and walked with her through the hall towards the cafeteria.

---------------------

With everyone present, Veda began her explanation.

"I know you are all wondering what happened and how it happened. Well, I can only explain some things. There is some kind of connection to me and the curse. Through it, Berserker spoke to me, he asked me to release him as he was fading away and something inside me knew what to do. I absorbed the curse taking it into myself and I feel stronger than ever. But the after-effects took me out of reality. I was dreaming, some dreams were what they used to do to me back at the government building." She looked down at her palms picturing the curse running through them, picturing what they did to her. She could see her veins pulsing with black tainted blood. Her eyes started to water, she knew then that this curse might kill her in the end.

"Veda, you said you Medea came to you. What did she want?" Shirou asked.

"Medea?" Cu asked.

She cleared the lump in her throat. "Yes, she pulled me out of my dreams into a room, she is...well her body is broken and she no longer has use of her legs. The government is still experimenting on her I guess. But she told me I am the key to our salvation, that I have the capability to cleanse the earth of the curse and bring down her master but to do this I need every servant I can get under my command. Her master has filled her spirit with several demons and she will be a stronger opponent than Berserker. There are two servants left, we need them."

Everyone seemed nervous about this. She could see why, taking on more servants could cause rifts between each other. Especially if there are other masters involved.

"I know what you're all thinking. Combining our group with other servants and masters could cause problems. But, I am confident that I can get them to follow me. Yes they each have a master...if we have to kill their master and take them, then that's what we will do." Veda smiled.

"Shit, this isn't going to be easy." Fergus said.

"You're right, but nothing is ever easy. We can do this." Veda replied.

"Do we know who or where the other servants are?" Cu asked.

"We only know their classes, but I do know where they are, Medea has graced us with that knowledge. One is in Hiroshima and the other is in Fukuoka. We start in Hiroshima. We won't know what we are walking into, I suggest being fully armed and ready for the worst possible situation."

"Alright it's settled, I will get things organized here and we will leave for Hiroshima as soon as possible." Shirou said.

"Ok, but can we eat first? I feel like I haven't eaten in weeks! I'm dying here!" Veda whined, and everyone laughs.

"Of course! Let's get you fed." Fergus says. He stood and walked over to the kitchen doorway to speak with Ben.

"You cleansed the dead, there are at least one thousand more people in this sanctuary. It's getting crowded, but we have men working hard to make more camps and get them comfortable. Food might be an issue though. It was unfortunate we weren't able to get anything at our hunt yesterday." Shirou says.

Veda begins to think. One thing she didn't put any thought into was what to do after she had cleansed them.
"Well, we should rally them all together and start asking for any one with trade skills. They could help build, and we should round up anyone with hunting skills and send them out immediately with a mage for protection."

Everyone nodded.

"I'll get Tobi on that right away, he's been a great help with situating people." Shirou replied.

Fergus returned with three plates of sandwiches for Veda and a Pepsi. He placed the plates in front of her lining them up.
"Thanks Fergie!" She said, and began to devour them.

"I'm going to gather the rest of our group. I'll see you out there at the Jeeps." Fergus said.

On that note everyone made their leave except for Cu and Veda. Cu walked around the table and sat down beside her. He watched her stuff an entire half of a sandwich into her mouth, and for some weird reason he was slightly aroused by it.

"You can sure fit a lot into that mouth." He said and smiled slyly at her.

She glares at him, knowing exactly what he meant by that. She gulped down the sandwich and slapped his arm.
"You shush! I take it you're still turned on from earlier, or you wouldn't be so turned on by a sandwich in my mouth." She rolled her eyes.

He chuckles to himself.
"Well, I keep replaying what you said in my head. It's driving me crazy." He replied and leaned in to kiss her cheek. She pressed her forehead against his.

"Me too." She whispered.

Her heart skips every time he gets close or touches her. She wanted it all from him, but right now their focus should be on the tasks at hand. They have some risky missions ahead of them and all their attention needs to be focused on that. But Cu being the man he is,
is having a hard time focusing on anything but the feel of her lips on his or her soft skin. She would need to divert his attention somehow. He is now running his hand up her thigh between her legs, and nipping at her neck. Focus Veda, focus!.

"Cu as much as I want this right now, we have some preparing to do. I also have to speak with some of the troops and we have to pack for the mission."

He let out a long sigh and sat back.
"I know. I'm having a hard time with this. But you're right, teasing you isn't going to get us anywhere right now. Finish up princess, let's get going." He replied and kissed her shoulder.

----------------------------------

With everyone geared up and the Jeeps packed we stand in a circle debriefing Toby, Jax, T-Rex, Shannara, and Luca.

"Toby we need you to stay here, you are next in command over the sanctuary if Saber and I are unavailable. You know what to do. Were taking Jax, Shannara, and T-Rex with us." Shirou says.

He nods.
"We won't be in radio distance, so if you desperately need help, I'll give you the key to the armory. Take what ever you need. I also need you to organize a hunt right away and sort through the new members for anyone with trade skills or who can help. I trust you'll do the right thing." Shirou pats his shoulder reassuringly.

"I got this man! Don't worry that shit is easy." He replied.

"Alright, Let's head out!" Shirou said and whistled. They all pile into the Jeeps, Veda and Shirou up front, Cu and Saber in the back seats, Shannara, Jax, and T-rex behind them in another Jeep.

"Its at least nine hours to Hiroshima, get some rest Veda we will be there by morning." Shirou said.

"Ok." She replied yawning. She leaned her head against the window supporting it with her hand. It was late in the evening by the time they left the sanctuary and she was tired. They will drive straight through the night until they reach their destination. Cu comes to her mind.

"Too bad you weren't back here with me, I'd let you sleep on me. I make a great pillow."

"Yeah, I wish. Although I'm not sure how much sleep I would get..."

He chuckled at her in the back seat then ran a finger down the side of her shoulder.

"Sweet dreams."

------------------------------

"Wake up Veda!" Shirou said as he placed a hand on her thigh shaking her.

She groans, " Mmm, ok I'm awake! What's for breakfast?"

Everyone laughed. Fergus passes her an energy bar and mixed protein drink.

"You had this all ready for me, didn't you?" She laughed.

"Of course! The last thing we want is to be stuck with hangry Veda in a jeep." He chuckled.

"Got that right!" Cu said.

Veda flipped them all the finger and devoured her breakfast.

The sun had risen lighting up the empty buildings around them. Hiroshima had become a beautiful modern city before the curse took it. Almost every building was new surrounding a memorial park commemorating the bombing in World War II. In its center is a large castle surrounded by a mote of water. It would be the perfect place to set up a sanctuary there.

"I think we should look at Hiroshima Castle." Veda said taking her last gulp of protein shake.
"It would be the perfect sanctuary. But approaching on foot might  be a better option ."

"I agree." Shirou said. "We will drive as close as we can, I am sure they will notice our signatures almost immediately. We will split up and surround the building. Veda will stay with me..." Cu interrupted him.

"No way! She is my master she stays with me Shirou!"

"He's right, Veda stays with Cu!" Fergus says.

"She should stay by my side, I've been fighting with her for over a year now.." Shirou argued.

Veda cut them all off. She turned to face them all giving them a don't fuck with me look.

"Let's get something straight, I am in command here you all follow me! I call the shots, especially when it comes to myself! Shirou and Cu will hit the back of the castle, Fergie and I will hit the front entrance! I don't give a damn if you don't like that, Shirou and Cu, you need some "bonding" anyways, it's time to sort your shit out!" She snapped, then sat back in her seat scowling out the window.

"Alright." Shirou whispered.

"Fuck." Cu cursed under his breath and Fergus laughed at them.

"This is going to be great! No fighting you two!" Fergus said while patting them both on the head.

"Shut up Fergus!" They both snapped.

Veda was lost in thought 'c feeling anxious, she could sense the next servant already and they hadn't even gotten to close to the castle yet. She wondered about the castle, if it is heavily armed they will need cover. She hoped the buildings around them weren't full of the cursed. They could use them for cover, but would need to clear them first. It was almost like fighting two enemies at once, things can go wrong very quickly and they could be swarmed in minutes. This is a risky mission, with many outcomes and parties involved. She sighed. She needed reassurance.

"Guys! I can feel the servant now, I can guide us there, but please follow my command, I can sense more than any of you. Things can get out of control quickly with the cursed around the corner. Please, listen to me." She begged.

"Of course." Cu said. "We will behave ourselves right buddy?" He smacks Shirou hard on the shoulder.

He growled back at him. "Just keep your mouth shut and we won't have a problem!." Cu howled back at him.

Veda rolled her eyes. "These boys will be the death of me." She thought.

----------------
They approach the city with caution, knowing their jeeps would bring the cursed straight to them and sure enough within minutes they were swarmed by twitching bodies of decaying flesh. We drive through, running them over like roadkill, through the streets of residential areas and apartment buildings.

"Step on it!" Veda yelled to Shirou. She opened her window taking out her rifle that was resting by her side, she began peppering the heads of the dead with her Ak-47, killing enough cursed to climb out the window. Shiriou grabbed her leg.

"What are you doing? Get back in here!" He snapped.

"I need leverage Shirou! And I'd like to keep our windshield intact for now!"
She kicked his arm away and proceeded onto the roof of the Jeep. She unsheathed a dagger from her thigh and drove it into the roof positioning her left foot behind it for stability. She stood on the roof unloading clip after clip into the cursed ahead clearing a solid path for them. But she needed help up there. She turned to face the second Jeep with the others in it and whipped her finger around at Shannara. She nodded and signaled to Jax.

Jax climbed up onto the roof of his jeep and started to shoot. They were clearing them out as quickly as they came in. Covering each other as they reloaded their guns. But Veda was almost out of ammo, there was more in the back seat.
"Jax we need ammo! Cover me!" She yelled to him.

She lowered herself onto her stomach then dropped down to Cu's window and tapped on it. He looked at her and smiled.

"Hiiiiii." She said.

He rolled down the window.
"What can I do for you?" He asked as if nothing unusual was happening.

"See that box there by your feet? I need that." She replied as a cursed body threw themselves at her. Cu stabbed it in the head then pushed it away before it could get to her then he grabbed the box of ammo.

"Arigato!" She said before taking the box and getting back on her feet. She opened the box and threw two mags at Jax then loaded her gun and put the rest of the mags in her belt slots.

There was a sharp corner coming up ahead.

"Jax! Hang on!" She yelled to him. They braced themselves for the corner and made it around smoothly.

"How do we get out of this Veda?" Jax yelled back.

Great question, "How do we get out of this?". She sent Cu a thought.

"Hey Cu, we need a rune barrier around us to hold the cursed back. Can you help?"

"Yup!" and he was up on top of the Jeep with Veda in no time conjuring his mana.

They have made it to the Hiroshima hospital with large buildings lining the streets on either side of them. This was a great place to stop and carry on by foot. With only two ways for the cursed to reach them, Cu could set up barriers in front and behind them.

"Cu! Twenty feet ahead and twenty feet behind!" She yelled at him. He nodded.

She dropped her head down to Shirous window and tapped on it.

"Stop here!"

He began to slow the Jeep down, T-Rex followed behind, Cu placed his barriers and lit them up with fire. Jax and veda carried on taking down the cursed left inside the barrier.

This was all going smoothly, so far. They were quite the team together when they weren't at each other's throats. "Let's hope things stay on the positive side." Veda thought.

They come to a complete stop in front of the hospital doors and pile out quickly, grabbing ammo and materializing their weapons. Veda hopped off the top of the Jeep along with Cu and gathered everyone for a debrief.

"The castle is behind this hospital, we need to make it around the building. But there is too many cursed beyond our barriers. We may need to go through the hospital. I can sense cursed there, but not many. Let's get to the rooftop and get a plan together for the castle." Veda said.

"Alright, I will lead, I want mages in the middle with our gunfire and servants at the back. We go in single file clearing each room before entering. I don't want any surprises, be on your toes at all times." Shirou commands. "Stealth is our friend right now."

------------------