IKIGAI

The reason for being;

The thing that gets you up in the morning


"Osaka has passed the initial defense." A man in his military uniform responded. He looked like he and his dog had worked for a month or more without rest. His wild brunette hair appeared as he took off his helmet and placed it between his hip and arm. He reported to the small group of scientists no more than six in the room.

"What about Kobe?" An anxious woman asked. Her short hair reached the middle of her neck and bright green eyes looked tired and red. She bit her lower plump lip in anticipation as all eyes were on her for a second. She inwardly prayed, I pray Okaa-san and Otou-san are safe.

"I'm sorry Sak. I can't say for sure." Was the soldier's reply and his sharp brunette eyes slowly softening. The doctor felt her heart dropped but there was a hand placed on her shoulder that caught her attention. Another soldier of the group assigned to protect the team of scientist.

"Don't worry Dr. Haruno, my little brother is working hard over there." Their Captain, Uchiha Itachi as embroidered on his uniform assured. Probably the most good-looking man, Dr. Haruno had seen in her entire life. His hair tied low on the back, white alabaster skin that contrasted against the darkness of his locks and abyss of his eyes. Giving a small soft smile at the petite pinkette who they had mistaken as a nurse before because she barely passed five feet in height. In return she gave a small smile, trying to be optimistic inside when she's worrying so bad,

"You always talk about your brother," she sighed taking a seat on the stool of her working station, "I want to meet him someday, Itachi-san."

"You probably will." Was his reply as he playfully saluted and resumed to his post.

The ten to fifteenth floor of the 15-story building was in ruins, only allowing the groups of the military and scientist to occupy the remaining floors and basement. Ever since the epidemic, everything was not the same. There were barely businesses operating, barely or none they were not sure. Probably in Tokyo, there are few. The said city passed the quarantine and already made tall steel walls that protected the city. Yokohama, however yet to. But they are close, or they believe, to complete safety.


"Fucking shit." A low swear hissed. Said man continued to fire at the three approaching zombies. His blonde hair hidden by his helmet, his camouflage uniform blotched with blood that wasn't his. Embroidered in his uniform was Lt. Namikaze Naruto. He gritted his teeth and fired another bullet to the head of the zombie man who was trying to get a hold of him. "Teme, how much longer?"

"They're safe now." A man answered who wore the same uniform as his. As if on cue the man jumped out from a vent above carrying a small girl of six years, his hand on the back of the little girl's neck, protecting them if they ever have a bad fall.

"Took you long." The blonde replied before releasing a breath of relief as he helped his comrade with the kid.

"They hid well." Came the reply of his comrade, captain. An inch or two taller than his lieutenant his midnight blue hair tucked under his helmet, his eyes onyx and restless since the epidemic and his skin was alabaster white. Strewn on his camouflage uniform was his name, Capt. Uchiha Sasuke. Four more children, three boys and a girl, peaked over the vent as they waited to be carried by the soldier. "Kids, I need you to jump over, Okay?"

They were responded with looks of indifference and "no". The Captain sighed at the remaining survivors of the mall. They were here for a week now, in and out, searching and killing the infected. So definitely, they were the epitome of tired.

"I need you to be brave so you won't end up like the zombies." Still no response. It was Naruto who spoke now as he took of his helmet and handing it over to the kids, "It will make you brave like us! Your parents are probably waiting outside and they are worried." He stretched out his arm like what his Captain did,

"We'll save you from the man-eating monsters, Okay?" Sasuke handed his own helmet now. The kids faces lit up and it was a good sign for them. The girl went first, her chubby cheeks flushed as she was caught by the Captain. Sasuke then gave her a small smile and handed back the helmet to the others. Naruto had to laugh for that later, even young girls go nuts for him. He's not even good-looking as me. He, then, caught the black-haired boy and ruffled his hair giving him a small laugh before he whispered, "Stay close kid."


Two months later

"You're a newbie, aren't you?" He asked painstakingly to the soldier who has no plan to let him inside the building to see his older brother, stationed inside who knows where. He was wearing civilian clothes, black jeans and Chuck Taylors. His navy green v-neck shirt had a black leather jacket over it. He looked incredibly handsome when Sakura saw him in his predicament when she went out for a bit to buy coffee for the team. His midnight blue locks spiked at the back, gravity-defying yet looked so soft. He had sharp facial features: slanted dark eyes, the ones you get lost into, aristocratic nose and thin pale lips.

Boldly, she never knew where it came from, she approached the new soldier, who had just joined in guarding the research and development team a week ago. She thought of her clothes that moment: white slip-ons, navy blue jeans, green turtle-neck quarter sleeves then her coat. With a take-out bag in her hand and her coffee on the other, she smiled. Her green eyes, though sleepless, twinkled, "Genma-san, he's with me."

Sasuke stared at the petite woman beside him. Pink. She looked otherworldly, ethereal, like a nymph or fairy. Her bright green eyes was the brightest shade he had ever seen in his life, rivaling the green fields of the country-side. Her short pastel pink hair, a bit messy caught his attention. It was the first time he saw that kind of shade. He can feel the softness without him touching it.

"Um..." Genma gave way to the door, "As you say so, Doctor."

"It's Sakura." She gave a small smile, "Do I have to remind you everyday?" For the first time he was awestruck with someone else's smile as he watched her come inside. Her eyes found his and gave him a small nod, a gesture for him to follow.

"Sorry, security's tight." She said as he caught up to her. But he was silent and it's not like she's expecting a stranger to be chatty to her. For a minute they were walking she started again, "A little thanks will suffice you know."

His dark eyes wandered to her and he caught up the muttered words, "Arrogant."

"I didn't ask you to. I could've called my brother anyway, Blossom." He teased back and watched the pale cheeks of the woman beside him slowly turn red.

"W-What did you call me? Who's your brother anyway?"She refused to meet his eyes or even look at him. She probably felt the hotness on her cheeks and they all know how red she can get. They stopped in front of the elevator, and the pinkette doctor pressed the 'Up' button, using an elbow before coming inside and the mysterious, devilishly handsome young man followed.

"Uchiha Itachi." Her mouth parted a bit before turning into a smile.

"So, you're the younger brother I've always been hearing about." She replied, "Oh, please press 5, you'll be stuck with me for a while." And he didn't know why he trusted her easily when she said those words and pressed the floor number she said. He then, texted his brother to meet him at the elevator of the 6th floor.

"I'm Haruno Sakura." She introduced herself, voice sounded like soft bells in his ears. Just what the fuck is wrong with me he thought to himself. For the first time, he felt comfortable with a female of first-time meeting and he liked it.

"I'm Sasuke." He replied with a small smirk on his thin lips that made Sakura's heart flutter at the sight. The elevator door opened and he stepped outside first, "I guess I'll be seeing you often, Blossom." His smirk widened when the pinkette was rendered speechless and a bit flushed.

Itachi was confused when he found them like that. His little brother actually paying attention to a woman and the said woman, who wore her heart on her sleeve, painted with different emotions on her face.

"Stop that." She said with an annoyed expression Sasuke found cute. Cute didn't even exist in my vocabulary until today.

"So.." Itachi cleared his throat, "You acquainted yourselves." He gave a small laugh at the two.

"I'll leave you two." Sakura said and giving a small bow, "They're probably waiting for their coffee." With that she walked away with a small smile.

"See you around, Blossom." Sasuke bid her and she blushed again, thanking herself that she turned around but made no reply as she just walked fast heading to her colleagues.


Review, Follow and Favorite please :)