9.

It was evening already. The city was as quiet as ever. The streets, illuminated by the light poles, we're empty of humans. The only ones present outside at this hour were shadowy figures of the undead, wandering aimlessly around.

From the last apartment, at the top of the highest building in the neighborhood, Kakashi calmly observed the city. As he looked down below, at the once lively and bustling city, though he knew the reality, a tiny part of him couldn't accept what was going on. It was just too sudden. Just a few hours ago he was doing groceries, and right now? The story is probably either looted or housing the zombies.

'That reminds me, we have to look for a place to gather supplies... That store would be worth a shot.' Kakashi's mind started following that track of thoughts, planning what should they do from now on. The plan was a necessity.

A cold sensation came from his nape, he looked back and saw Nino holding a can of coke.

"I thought you may want it." She said handing him a drink and standing beside him. Her hair was still wet, she had probably just gotten out of the shower. Also, he could notice that she was wearing short pants and a T-shirt... nothing underneath...

"Thank you", after he had taken off his mask, he opened the beverage and took a sip. The cold and sweet liquid was refreshing. A funny thought came to his mind, that in the future that small can of coke would become a luxury. "What is the rest doing?" Kakashi asked as there was only him and Nino in the room right now.

"There is a small queue to the shower, the girls want to clean their sweat. The boys are helping Akado list the supplies we have right now." Nino said, joining Kakashi in staring at the panorama of the city.

Kakashi nodded. "Shouldn't you wear underwear? You may boost the boy's fantasies, you know? Including Homura." Ha said in a half-joke.

"A-And i-including you too?" Her quiet voice barely reached his ears. Glancing at her, he saw her looking to the other side, though he knew she was burning red. 'OMG! That totally slipped out! Why did I say that?! I'm crimson red, too! Nino, you idiot!' The pink-haired girl started berating herself immediately.

"Who knows? Maybe, maybe not?", he shrugged and ruffled her hair. Nino's eyes widen as her blush deepened. 'She's becoming bolder and bolder as the days pass by.' Thought Kakashi.

They stood in silence for a moment, with the only sounds being those made by the boys rumming through the stuff in the kitchen and the two of them siping their drinks.

"I still can't believe that this everything happened..." Nino broke the silence. "I mean, just a few hours ago my only worry was to not forget my stuff to school or the exams, but now? My friends died, I saw someone getting killed in front of me, I... I almost die myself..." Her voice was cracking, she was on the verge of crying. It was just too much for her for one day! But before she could, an arm embraced her.

"I know, but you are fine now. That's all that matters. Besides, some of your friends are here right now. You should focus on that."

She bit her lower lip and buried her head in his chest. "I thought you won't come... that you will leave me alone, just like dad did..." She said quietly as if she was afraid someone else could hear her. Her body started trembling so slightly it was barely noticeable.

"That's not gonna happen, never." He patted her head reassuringly, his voice was full of confidence. That words seemed to relax her as the tension left her body immediately. 'She may be in shock... I hope it won't turn into trauma, but I can't blame her.'

They stayed like that for a moment, before Kakashi took a step back and flicked the tip of her nose gently. "Let's go to the others. We have to discuss something." He covered his lower face with a mask again and said to her.

Looking at him with slightly red eyes, she nodded and smiled at him. She could tell that he smiled too, even when he wore the mask.

Seeing the two coming in their direction, Takashi flinched and started randomly checking through the supplies.

"And what our lovebirds could possibly want from us?" Homura said jokingly at the approaching duo. He didn't even look at them, scribbling something on a piece of paper.

"Shut up Akado..." Nino snorted at his comment and sat on a chair by the counter, quite used by his teasing.

Kakashi went over to Homura and looked over his shoulder at the paper. There was a list of supplies they had, meaning food, water, and medicines.

"How is it looking?" Kakashi asked after Homura clicked his tongue for the third time and sighed.

"Not good, not bad. Depends on the situation and perspective."

Kakashi crossed his arms as he waited for his friend to elaborate. In the same moment, the rest joined them, with Rei and Saeko still drying up their hair using a towel.

"If the whole situation, this pandemic, is going to be contaminated and taken control by the government, then we are cool. We have just about the supplies for a few days." Homura pointed at the food on the counter, including a dozen bottles of water.

"*What is going on?*" Rei whispered to Nino as she sat beside the pink-haired girl.

"*They are talking about supplies. I guess there are going to be some problems...*"

"There is the food you bring up, too?" Kakashi asked as he briefed through what they had. Homura nodded to his question. "There is not much for the long run... Nothing that will last long..." He said to himself.

"Exactly. Most are just vegetables or pre-made dishes. They are going to expire soon." Homura sighed and ruffled his brown hair. A habit of his when he gets worried about something.

"T-The weapons and ammunition too." Kohta chipped in awkwardly. The chubby boy handed another piece of paper to Homura.

"Thanks, kiddo." As he read through the paper, he noticed that Kakashi stared at him with his only visible eye and a raised eyebrow. "What? The kid has a knack for guns. He respects them and knows they are not toys. I saw the passion in his eyes-"

"Okay, okay, stop. Give me that." Kakashi shook his head and took both pieces of paper. The content was as follow:

FOOD

| Bottle of water 1.5L x12

| Packet of rice 200g x10

| Fresh meat 2kg

| Milk 1L x4

| Pack of cereals x2

| Vegetables (not much)

WEAPONS

| Bulletproof vest x3

| Glock17 x4

| AR x1

| SMG x1

| Shotgun x1

| Suppressor x2 (one for AR, second for SMG)

| Magazines x22 (AR-5, SMG-5, Glock-12)

| Box of 5.56mm ammo x5 (30 rounds)

| Box of 9mm ammo x20 (15 rounds)

| Box of 12ga x3 (10 shells)

| KA-BAR Knife x3

"With our ten, the food won't lat to the day after tomorrow unless we will ration it," Homura said aloud when Kakashi put the papers down.

"We shouldn't depend on the government. If the situation is as bad as they showed on TV then we are on our own." Kakashi responded.

"Umm, we are also lacking in the medicines. We should get antibiotics just in case, something to clean and cover the wounds, painkillers would be great, as well as pills for flu. Also..." Shizuka joined the conversation, listing the things they don't have or have too little.

As the three and only adults in their groups were discussing, the teenagers were listening closely without interrupting. Saya though wanted to say something a few times but the three of them already covered the topic.

"Shizuka, can you list the things you need? It would be helpful during scavenging." Kakashi said handing her another piece of paper and a pen.

"Okaay~." The cheerful nurse agreed and started writing on the paper.

Meanwhile, Kakashi looked at the rest.

"Okay, we have to discuss a few things." He began and sat in the free chair across them. "If we are going to go as a team I have to know a few things. First, if anyone of you doesn't want to be a member or have other plans, you are free to go. I'll understand, but I have to know who I can count on before we start making our plans."

A few seconds passed as they looked between each other, but none of them stood up. Seeing it Kakashi nodded in approval.

"Okay then. Next thing. Does anyone have any relatives in the city on which you want to check on?"

"My parents and the residence. It's a walled property, my dad always stores a lot of food and fuel. It would be safer if we head there." Sayaka said in the way she was glad to brag about it.

"My dad works as a detective at a police station. He should be fine but I want to check on him if that's not the problem. And on my mom too. She should be in our house but I don't want to leave her alone."

Kakashi nodded and memorized what the two girls told him. Takagi residence would be their best shot, having a fortress-like house as a base would be measuring. As for the police station... Kakashi didn't have big hopes. In the movies and games places like police stations, military camps, or evacuation camps are always sooner or later overrun with zombies. But who knows? Reality may be different.

None else spoke after the two girls. Kakashi noticed that Rei was looking at Takashi with a frown as if waiting for something. After a few seconds, she couldn't take it anymore and speak with anger.

"Takashi! What about your mom?! She is working at the elementary school! You don't want to check up on her?!"

"What? Why should I? She is a grown woman, I'm sure she will be fine." He said in laid back demeanor.

"What?!" Rei slammed her hand on the counter angrily. She couldn't believe what he just said. How can't he be worried about his mother?!

Nino and Tomoe started calming Rei down. Kakashi just sighed.

"Alright. Our best shot would be to head to Takagi's residence. When we reach it, we can go and search for your families." Kakashi declared to everyone. No one complained, just nodded in a silent agreement.

"Aaand~ That all~!" Shizuka said suddenly but her happy expression turned into confusion when she saw Rei's and Takashi's faces. "Something happened?"

"Nah, nothing. Let's see..." Homura said, guessing that she was just too absorbed in writing and ignored what was happening around her.

The brown-haired man smacked his lips and smiled wryly in amusement. He started putting a line on the least needed things like anti vomit syrup. He laughed because Shizuka drew a small version teddy bear clothed as a doctor.

After he handed the last piece of paper to Kakashi, the man with a mask took and folded all three pieces before putting them inside his pocket.

He glanced at the time and then and Homura. "We go in one."

"Sure," Homura replied shortly and stretched his limbs. "I'll go check the gear."

"What are talking about?" Asked Tomoe with a questioning gaze. "It's already dark to go anywhere. There are only 'them' outside." She said as she was stating the most obvious thing.

Kakashi took a black bag from the floor next to the cupboard, the same he took when went to Nino's school. "Exactly, that's why it's the perfect time to get supplies."