(Disclaimer: Ikigami manga belongs solely to Mase Motoro, but Sasuke Mura and the other unknown characters I am writing about belong to me. The story is just based on the plot line of the manga. If this disclaimer is wrong, then please do not sue me.)

KChanDreams: This is the true first chapter and this is basically introducing the characters. Review if you are confused.

Chapter 1: Nurse in Training

Sasuke Mura's parents were well recognized as skilled doctors in their time, but died at a young age at the same time. The cause of death was a Nano-pill that ruptured in their heart. It was by law that in order for people to treasure life, people had to die. When the person injected with the pill reaches an age of eighteen through twenty-four, the pill will explode. Out of a thousand children in elementary school, only one is injected with the pill. Her parents went to different schools and were the ones injected with the pill. Their time of death was determined and they were sent an Ikigami, a notification of death. The Ikigami tells when they are going to die and is sent twenty-four hours before they die. Sadly, their time of death was at the same time and Sasuke was left as an orphan.

Sasuke was to be sent to an orphanage with government money in her name, but her neighbor and childhood friend, Yoshiro Ohtori, convinced his parents to take her in. Sasuke, age nineteen, now lived with Yoshiro's family and began to study in the medical field to fulfill her dream of becoming a skilled doctor like her parents.

Sasuke, in the lab, was looking through a double lens microscope. She was examining a blood sample from a patient with cancer. She wrote down notes in her notebook and gave out a sigh.

"This person only has a few more months to live," said Sasuke sadly.

"Is that so?"

Sasuke looked behind her and saw her partner in the lab, Jiro Yuki, age twenty, smiling down at her.

"Yuki-San," said Sasuke. Jiro chuckled and said, "I already told you many times to call me Jiro." Sasuke ignored his comment as she looked at him.

"Why do you always act so happy, when I say that a person is going to die soon?" asked Sasuke. Jiro smirked and answered, "Because it is interesting." Jiro sat next to Sasuke and continued.

"People don't know when they are going to die, but because of our technology in the lab, we can tell their time of death. We are almost like Ikigami."

Sasuke flinched. She clenched her fist and said, "Please don't say that. Don't you feel sorry for the patients who are going to die?"

"To be perfectly frank, I don't give a damn. The world is made for the strong, so they can just rot in the ground."

Sasuke could sense no emotion in his voice. She stood up from her chair with her notebook in hand. She walked toward the door with Jiro looking at her back.

"Where are you going, Sasuke?" Jiro called out to her. Sasuke stopped in her tracks and glared back at him.

"I told you many times to call me Mura, so stop calling my first name with such formality, Yuki-San," said Sasuke with spite behind her voice. Sasuke turned away from him and walked out of the lab.

Jiro chuckled as he looked at the door of the lab.

So cruel, but that's one of the things I love about you, Sasuke.

Sasuke marched down the hall of the medical institute she was currently working in. She remembered Jiro's words and clenched her notebook tightly.

He's always like that. He never cares about others' feelings.

Sasuke remembered that when she first met him, he introduced himself as the son of a famous Doctor, who was now a multi billionaire. He was a pompous fool and would always bother her when she was doing work. He once offered her a thousand dollars to go on a date with him, but she refused him flat. He didn't even show any emotion when he heard that a long time patient died of cancer. Sasuke in truth was disappointed to have Jiro as a partner.

"Sasuke-Chan?"

Sasuke stopped in her tracks and looked back only to see her friend, Erin Kumi, age nineteen, approaching her, while waving her hand in the air happily. Erin had been her close friend ever since she entered the medical field. Erin supported her in her studies and always looked on the bright side of life. Sasuke showed a small smile and greeted her friend.

Erin greeted Sasuke back and said, "I heard that you got the highest grade in the entire institute, congratulations." Sasuke thanked her.

"It was just a small grade," said Sasuke with a smile. Erin gave a small pout.

"Don't give me that. It was a perfect score," said Erin. Erin hit Sasuke playfully and ranted, "It's really not fair. You always get a perfect score and have a hot body. You're also rich. Give me some of your good luck." Sasuke giggled and pushed Erin away gently.

"Come on, Erin. Look on the bright side like always. You're good at that," said Sasuke playfully. Erin smirked and placed her hands firmly on her hips.

"Well I am pretty too. Pretty enough to get a boyfriend before you," said Erin and laughed in a jolly matter causing people passing by to look at her nervously.

Sasuke laughed and smiled brightly at Erin.

"You always know how to make me laugh, Erin. Thank you," said Sasuke feeling a lot better. Erin smiled at her friend.

"Well I can tell from a distance that you were feeling down. I bet it was because of Jiro again," said Erin knowingly. Sasuke nodded and said, "I really wish Yuki-San can change his perspective on life." Erin nodded in agreement.

"If he does that, I bet you would date him. He is good looking after all," said Erin with a smirk. Sasuke shook her head and claimed, "That would never happen." Erin and Sasuke both laughed in unison.

"You're in the way."

Sasuke and Erin seized their laughing and looked to the side. Standing before them was the second highest grade in the institute, Shiro Takimura, age twenty-one. Sasuke and Erin bowed in apology and stepped aside allowing him to pass. He glanced at Sasuke once and then continued to walk off.

Erin gave a pout and said, "Shiro is still so passive." Sasuke nodded in agreement. Shiro was older than her and was the top of the institute, but when she entered, he was pushed down to second. Even since their grades were first posted, Shiro had been in a silent academic battle with Sasuke, even though she could care less.

Erin suddenly showed a warm smile and said, "But the passiveness of Shiro just makes him more charming." Sasuke gave out a sigh knowing that Erin had a crush on Shiro ever since she first saw him.

Sasuke looked at her watch, which read a quarter before noon, and said, "We better head to the classroom." Erin looked at the time and nodded. They both walked down the hallway in a quick haste to their class in the institute.

Their class seemed long as the teacher, Mr. Fujioka, age twenty-nine, lectured about the function of the body parts. Erin tossed Sasuke a folded note from her desk. Sasuke snuck it under her desk and read it.

Want to go karaoke after class?

Sasuke wrote a small note and tossed it to Erin. Erin read it under her desk.

Can't. I promised Yoshiro and Tamaki that I would go to the mall with them today after class.

Erin wrote quickly and tossed it back to Sasuke. Sasuke read the note.

You see them every day at home so hang out with me.

Sasuke tossed Erin a new note. Erin read the note.

A promise is a promise. Maybe next time.

Erin tossed Sasuke a new note before the teacher could see. Sasuke read it and prevented herself from laughing.

You better hang out with me next time. You can't leave your wife alone. T_T

Sasuke nodded at Erin making Erin smile. A folded note suddenly hit Erin out of nowhere. Erin unfolded the paper and read it.

Stop flirting with Mura-San and pay attention.

Erin cringed and looked up at Mr. Fujioka, who was smirking at her. Erin laughed uneasily, while the other students laughed at her. Mr. Fujioka was a strict teacher, but he always got good results from all his students.

Before class let out, Mr. Fujioka made an announcement.

"All of you are aware that your permanent jobs are about to be announced. Well I am proud to say that Mura-San is on the top of the list to get employed by the Ikigami industry."

All her classmates looked at Sasuke in amazement. The Ikigami industry was the highest paying job in Japan with huge benefits. Only the best are employed there.

Mr. Fujioka smiled toward Sasuke and said, "You should be proud, Mura-San." Sasuke gripped her notebook as all of them stared at her in amazement.

As Sasuke and Erin left the room, Erin could see the uneasiness in Sasuke's face.

"What's with the long face? You should be happy to hear such great news," said Erin in a chipper mood. Sasuke smiled and said, "I'm proud to hear about the news, but I don't want to work in the Ikigami Industry." Erin gasped in surprise.

"Why not?" asked Erin eager for an answer. Sasuke hugged her notebook to her chest and admitted, "I wouldn't feel right working there." Erin looked at Sasuke worriedly.

Unbeknownst to them, Shiro was eavesdropping on them from around the corner. He clenched his fist as he began to shake in anger.

Why? Why does she always take what others want and throw it away like it is nothing?

Sasuke headed home by foot. As she walked, bystanders watched her every move. She could hear them mention about her being a future Ikigami employee and tried her best to ignore it. Sasuke reached her home in Fuji Main Street and entered.

"I'm home," announced Sasuke.

"Welcome back, Sasuke," called back Mrs. Ohtori from the kitchen. Sasuke looked at her surroundings as she closed the door and asked, "Are Yoshiro and Tamaki home?"

"Yoshiro should be home from the computer company in five minutes and Tamaki should be on his way home from the convenience store right about now."

Sasuke nodded and headed upstairs to change her clothes. She went into her room and locked the door behind her. She removed her lab jacket and placed it on the bed. Before she removed her shirt, she stared at her closed notebook on the table.

I don't want to help the Ikigami Industry kill people.