Disclaimer: Of course Gokusen isn't mine. How I wish, but I'm not that good. Also, I am gaijin. So forgive me, if I get some things incorrect about Japan. The characters and theme belong to Morimouto, but I own this plot.

(A/N) This story is mine and for entertainment only. Okay, so I left you hanging and would have finished this a long time ago, but I write my story first and then type it. So, someone in my house moved it. I finally found it and have typed it out. Long story short, sorry for making you wait so long. But, this chapter takes place in three or four different time periods. It starts at the same place the last chapter began, then picks up at the end of the last chapter, flashes back two days earlier, and then goes forward. Sorry for the confusion, but you will understand when you read it.

Chapter 11 Two Things First

When Yankumi woke up that morning, she was determined. She had made her decision two days ago and told Shin that she would let him know when she had resolved two items. Having completed those two things, she was now ready to face him and give him a proper answer. She wasn't sure how he would react to her answer, but she had made up her mind and was ready to face him. Although he had waited four years to tell her his feelings, she didn't think she should let him wait any longer.

The first thing she did that morning was to train with Kyou. He had been right when he told her that in a battle you train as hard as you can, and then you get in there and fight no matter what the result may be. So, she wanted to be prepared for this fight. After she showered, she dressed in her usual jersey, trainers and two ponytails. It was late in the afternoon when she headed for her destination. When she arrived, she put out her hand out and said, "Fight O … O."

She rang the doorbell to Shin's apartment and waited. There was no answer after a minute so she knocked loudly on the door, but there was still no answer. She tried calling his mobile but it was engaged. She decided to wait a little longer in case he had gone somewhere and was on his way back. She had made her decision and wanted to do this today. Where the hell is he? I probably should have called him this morning and told him I was coming by, but I wanted to do this in person. She decided to look around in the neighborhood where he liked to hang out to find him.

Finally, she headed to the one person's place who might know where he is. When she was almost to the shop she decided to call his mobile again before disturbing Kuma. She knew he would be getting ready for dinner soon and didn't want to bother him. It's still engaged. Who the hell is he talking to for this long? She opened the door to his shop and stopped and stared with her mouth open as all conversation in the shop ceased, and all eyes turned toward her.

Not only did she find the very person she was looking for but also the other four from Shirokin 3D and the five from Kurogin 3D.

"Yankumi." They all said one after another.

Her initial shock at seeing all of them together turned to elation. "You guys, what are you all doing here together?"

"It was Kuma's idea for all of us to meet and get to know one another properly." Uchi spoke up, smiling.

"Kuma," she smiled at him, calling his name fondly.

"I thought it would be nice if we all got together to meet and maybe hang out. Besides your Kurogin 3D students really need sempai to look after them." Kuma blushed at how happy she was and smiled.

"Hey," Yabuki playfully hit Kuma on the arm and feigned anger, which quickly turned to laughter as did the others from Kurogin 3D.

"Oh, this is so great. I am so proud. My students forming the life long friendships and bonds that are so important for success in life."

Shin was growing impatient and knew this was about to turn into one of her famous "Yankumi" speeches. So he interrupted her before she got going. "What are you doing here?" He used his famous bored tone with her trying to hide his impatience.

"Oh," she blushed. "I was coming to ask Kuma if he knew where I could find a certain young man to whom I owe an answer, but I see he is here. So if you all don't mind, I'd like to have a word with him in private." She gave everyone that look that meant serious business.

"Oh, uh, yeah, we were just going upstairs to visit Kuma's mom and his little brother and sister, right guys?" Uchi nudged them.

"Oh, yes. Don't mind us." They all got up to leave and head upstairs, except Kuma and Yabuki.

"Yes and Yabuki and I have to clean up and prepare for dinner. So excuse us. We will be way in the back, cooking and washing up where we can't hear anything. Take all the time you need. Right?" Kuma nudged Yabuki and they noisily cleaned off the table and clattered to the back, while the others were heading upstairs.

Odigiri turned back slowly to look at Yankumi. He caught her eyes, and she smiled and nodded at him. He smiled back and then headed upstairs.

Shin missed the exchange between the two. He had been looking down pretending to play with his phone afraid to look at her until everyone left. When they had all left, he looked at her straight in the eyes and waited for her to speak.

She sat down, breathed in heavily and began. "You know how I told you that I had two things to do before I could give you my answer. Well I finished them last night, and I need to tell you about them."

Shin was really getting impatient now wanting to know what she had decided. "I don't need to know all of that. That's not really what is important to me. There's only one thing that I need to know right now." He looked at her with pleading eyes.

"Well, I need you to know because it is important for you to understand how I made my decision and why I made the decision that I did."

"If it is about Shinohara san, I saw you the other night. You don't have to explain that to me." He was hoping that she would skip the explanation now since he knew all about the date with Shinohara san.

She panicked. Oh my god, what did he see? I hope he stayed long enough to see what really happened and not just the beginning. He may have the wrong idea. Wait a minute, what was he doing there anyway and how the hell did he know? Was he following me? Why that little brat? No, he couldn't have known where I was going and what I was doing. I didn't even tell my family. So he couldn't have followed me.

Shin watched her face go through several emotions and realized what she was thinking when her face went from panic-stricken to anger to confusion. He could read her mind as her facial expressions were always so transparent to him. "No, I wasn't following you. I just happened to be in there having a drink after a certain young lady called me and teased me about having an answer for me. I saw you come in and meet Shinohara san. I stayed long enough to get the idea."

"I'm not so sure you did so I am going to tell you what happened. The other day after I hung up with you, I called Shinohara san and arranged to meet him."

------------------------------------- Flashback to two days ago --------------------------------------------------

"Shinohara san, it's Yamaguchi sensei. Okay, Kumiko. Can we meet this evening? Yes at the usual place." She hung up and placed another call. "Hello, can we meet this evening?" … "Where we used to meet." … "No, that is great, bring him too. Okay see you this evening." Yoshi, that's done. Now, what should I wear? I got it.

Later on that evening, she left in a simple white short sleeved blouse, a black button-down sweater, and a black skirt that went to her knees. She put her hair in the usual ponytails, her glasses and left. When she arrived at the restaurant, she headed straight to Shinohara's table. He stood up, smiled and kissed her on the cheek. Instead of pulling out her seat like last time he sat down and motioned to her to do the same. She noticed he wasn't as attentive as last time. "I'm sorry that I am not as dressed up as the last time we went out."

"Oh no, you look nice in that too. That's how I am used to seeing you anyway. I like you that way." He smiled and started looking at the menu.

"I wanted to meet with you before you left to say goodbye properly and to thank you for all that you did for me in warning me and everything else."

"You're welcome. Besides I really didn't do too much. You and Sawada played the largest role in capturing him."

You can say that again. "I also wanted you to know that I am glad that we are friends, and I cherish our friendship." She emphasized the word "friend" twice.

"So am I, but I'm not leaving just yet, and I was hoping we would get the chance to explore becoming more than just friends."

Uh oh, that's not what I wanted at all. "Really, after 4 years, what brought this on?" Could I be wrong about his feelings?

"Well, after seeing you dressed as an attractive woman those two times you piqued my interest. I thought that there must be something more to Yamuguchi Kumiko, and I wanted to find out more."

Nope, I was right. He is only interested in me because he thought that I was pretty when I dressed up like that. She smiled a dangerous smile. "So you mean the fact that I am a high school teacher in an all boy's school and the fact that I am the granddaughter of a yakuza isn't interesting enough for you. It was the fact that I was pretty that made me interesting?" She could feel herself getting angry, and then the tension building up again. Calm down Kumiko remember what you are here to do, she reminded herself and then relaxed. She took a deep breath.

"No, that's not what I meant at all. I meant being back reminded me of how much I missed running into you. Seeing you all dressed up made me realize that I didn't know as much about you as I thought I did, and I wanted to learn more."

Nice save, but still it is not good enough. "Well you can get to know me more but only as a friend. That is all I have to offer. I hope that is okay with you." She smiled.

"Is there someone else? Is it Sawada Shin?"

She became flustered at the mention of his name. What the… How the hell did he know about that? "No, that's not it at all. I mean that is not the reason. Just like you, I had four years to consider and evaluate. I've realized that there are more things that I need to know and explore. That's all. Do you understand? Can we become good friends?"

Shinohara seemed disappointed. "Of course, that is what we always were, and I cherish our friendship, too."

"Good, I've also invited Kawashima sensei and Yuta for your going away. Fujiyama sensei won't be joining us because she teaches English on a high school cruise ship. They see the world at the same time they learn. She always wanted to travel. This way, she gets to do both. I hope you don't mind. They should be here any minute. Oh look here they are now." She finished quickly having seen them coming to the table. "Yuta, come sit next to Auntie. I guess the only other chair is next to Shinohara san. I hope you don't mind. Doesn't she look pretty tonight Shinohara san?"

--------------------------------------- End of Flashback ------------------------------------------------------------

Shin interrupted her recounting of the story. "That's where I left. Although I wasn't listening, I noticed that you got that evil look like you wanted to kill someone for a second. I almost ran over to keep you from doing anything drastic, but you returned to normal. When I saw that Kawashima sensei and Yuta were there, I knew that you weren't going to go off the deep end again. That's when I left."

"You mean you missed the grand finale, where after one drink and a little conversation, I made up an excuse to leave and took Yuta with me to spend the night at my house and give the two of them some time alone together?"

Shin smiled, relieved. "So that's it? That was the two things you had to do. You had to break up with Shinohara and fix him up with Kawashima sensei?"

"I didn't break up with him. We were never together. I just wanted to make sure he knew where I relationship was going and my feelings about him. No, that was the 1st thing I had to do."

"I just hope you didn't overdo it, act goofy, and make it too obvious."

"Of course not, I was smooth and subtle. I know that these are delicate matters and should be handled subtly." She smiled and gestured.

Shin raised one eyebrow and looked at her. "Yeah, you were too obvious and overdid it." He smirked at her. "That's just like you."

She sighed frustrated. "Will you just listen? Anyway the second thing I had to do…"

"I don't really need to hear all of this Kumiko. I trust you and will accept whatever decision you make." He patted her head.

"You insolent brat!" She was using her Ojou tone. "Would you just shut up and listen?" She had his attention. I want to get through with this. I wish he would stop being so nice and understanding. "The second thing involved a confession from another student of mine." She continued cautiously waiting for him to react. She wasn't expecting his next reaction.

"You mean Odigiri Ryu?" He asked calmly.

Her mouth dropped open and her eyes opened wide in shock. "Huh, you mean you know about that? How could you know?"

"We had a little heart-to-heart conversation just before you came in."

"Then you better hear my side of the story."

"Okay, go ahead." He didn't think he needed to hear it, but he didn't want her to get angry again and not give him what he wanted to hear.

Also, I didn't intend for this to be a chapter at first just an off-handed comment, but I felt it was needed to tie up a few loose ends, and there you have it. Enjoy and review. This will finish in three more chapters. After that, let me know if there are any more loose ends to tie up.