a/n: The following chapter contains really cheesy lines! Don't say I didn't warn you!!!

Chapter 21

"3 Points for Shihouin! Match over, Shihouin Wins!" The announcer cried. The whole crowd burst into applause. Yorouichi couldn't believe it... What was that? She was pretty sure she was just about to be defeated... What the hell did just happen? The whole crowd cheered for the Shihouin heiress. A lot of people where starting to gather around her, to congratulate her but Yorouichi simply stood there, unmoving and with a dazed expression on her face. She noticed Sayuri had stood up from the ground, dusted herself off, and left the coliseum, using the growing crowd as a diversion to slip out unnoticed. She looked at the spot where she saw Kisuke had been watching earlier, he was no longer there. Yorouichi slipped past the crowd, to follow Sayuri. Sayuri was walking too fast for someone who was just injured. She squeezed through the crowd to follow her, and demand for answers from the girl. It just didn't make sense to her. Sayuri left the auditorium quickly, Yorouichi followed her all the way to the courtyard.

"H-hey!" she shouted, Sayuri didn't hear her as she kept on walking. She was about to call her again, when she saw Kisuke standing there, at the other side of the courtyard, he was waiting in front of the entrance to the second building. She stopped on her tracks, she saw a nearby tree, standing just a few feet away from where the other two were. She hid there, and listened in on the two. (a/n: the characters really love to eavesdrop don't they? Hahaha!)

"Sayuri... Wha...?" Kisuke began.

"Hey... You were right, Shihouin is a really good fighter. She pummeled me!" said Sayuri, she sounded like her usual cheery self, she didn't sound like she felt bad about losing.

"You... Why did you release that kido on her? If you didn't, you should have won..." said Kisuke.

Sayuri sighed, as she crossed her arms. "Eh? What do you mean? Shihouin was really good, she broke out of the binding spell on her own!" said Sayuri, that didn't convice him at all. Sayuri avoided looking at him directly, she was staring intently at the ground.

"Sayuri, what are you hiding?"

"Hiding? I'm not hiding anything Kisuke... What's with you all of a sudden?" Kisuke walked towards her, and grabbed her shoulders, forcing her too look at him.

"Why aren't you looking at me? And don't play dumb... you know what I'm talking about!" Kisuke raised his voice, he was starting to get pissed. Sayuri still avoided his eyes, as she refused to speak.

"So you're just not going to say anything huh?" Kisuke tightened his grip on her. Sayuri grabbed his hands, and gently released them from her shoulders. She reached with both hands to cup his face.

"Kisuke, I'm leaving..." she finally said, as she looked straight into his eyes.

Kisuke's eyes shot wide open. "W-what are you saying?" he stuttered. The sound of her voice, it didn't sound like she was joking.

"Well... I don't know where to start... Why don't we sit down first?" Sayuri pulled him with her, as they both sat on the stone steps leading to the second building. Sayuri took a deep breath and continued. "Headmaster Tsukabishi was appointed as the new Kido Corps Captain... and as the new captain, it is also part of his job to look for new recruits. The headmaster took notice of my talent in Kido, and asked me If I was willing to graduate a few months earlier, and join the Kido Corps..."

"W-wait... Kido Corps? Graduate early..?" He couldn't believe what he was hearing. And why so suddenly?

Sayuri took both of his hands in hers. "I accepted his offer... I'm leaving in a few days..." said Sayuri.

"You accepted it...?" asked Kisuke. Sayuri nodded.

"Of course I did! I couldn't pass up on such an opportunity. I owe it to Uncle Choujiro too, I know he'll be so proud..." she said. Sasakibe Choujiro had raised her ever since her parents died. Sasakibe treated her like a daughter. Kisuke knew Sayuri had great respect for her uncle.

"True... But... Does this mean we're breaking up?" he managed to ask.

"I guess so! I strongly believe that long distance relationships do not work!" she said. That was just like her.

"This is all... so sudden.." Kisuke mumbled. He was at a lost for words.

"I know... and I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner... I didn't how or where to start."

"But... What does this have to do with you purposely throwing away the tournament?" Kisuke asked. Sayuri hesitated a bit, before she answered.

"I told Shihouin that if she won, I'm giving you back to her..." she told him. Kisuke glared at her.

"What?! Why the hell did you do that?!" he protested.

"Come on Kisuke, we both know that you're still madly in love with her, and she's still terribly in love with you too! I'm just helping you both out here. Aren't I nice?" Sayuri smirked.

"Why did you do something like that? You're the one who asked me out in the first place. I thought you liked me?" Kisuke asked her. Sayuri sighed, as she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.

"That's why I did that." she smiled at him. "You're too stubborn to admit that you still have feelings for her. I'm helping you out here, you know?"

"But I didn't ask you to help me out Sayuri, I just... I need you to stay with me... Otherwise I won't be..." he trailed off, Sayuri held up a finger to his lips.

"You'll be fine Kisuke..." she assured him, as she took both of his hands in hers. "You're stronger now! You've been through so much, and Shihouin too. You have to face her Kisuke, and tell her how you actually feel. Otherwise you'll regret it. It's always been her Kisuke, you know that... you just don't want to get hurt again, that's why you're avoiding your true feelings... Suck it up and tell her how you really feel!" Sayuri told him, her voice back to its usual tone. Kisuke smiled at her.

"Who would have thought I'd hear such cheesy lines from you...?" Kisuke teased.

"I know right?" she smiled at him again. It was such a beautiful smile, but there was a definite hint of sadness within her smile. It hurt her too, to let him go.

"So I guess we're over then..."

"Yeah... Friends?"

"Of course."

"I can't believe you're actually leaving..."

"Aww... You gonna miss me, Isshin?"

"...and just when you you were getting my name right..." Isshin sighed. He and Sayuri argued a lot and teased each other, but Isshin really liked her. She was a very honest person, she said whatever she was thinking, and not caring about what other people thought.

Sayuri jabbed Isshin in the shoulder. "You aren't that bad either, Kurosaki! Make sure you take good care of Retsu, okay?"

"Of course! Retsu is in good hands!!" said Isshin.

"I wonder about that..." Retsu said as they all started laughing. They were all at Sasakibe's former house in Eastern Rukongai, were Sayuri lived. Helping her pack her things. Sayuri had received her credentials just yesterday and was now a graduate of the Spiritual Arts Academy. She was leaving today. As a member of the Kido Corps, she had to live in the housing area that the Corps provided.

"You guys done packing? Kisuke's almost done cooking!" said Kuukaku, who came from the kitchen.

"Kuukaku, instead of hanging around the kitchen and taste testing the food, why don't you help us pack here?" Isshin told the Shiba heiress. Kuukaku stuck her tongue at him, as she went back to the kitchen.

"Will you be able to visit us, Sayuri-sempai?" Nanao Ise asked. Even though Nanao was the serious type, she had grown to love hanging out with the cheerful and out-going Sayuri.

"I dunno... I might become too busy to drop by the academy. I'll try though!" said Sayuri.

"I guess we'll see you after we graduate, once we become Shinigami!" said Isshin. Sayuri nodded.

"Maybe, but before that, better make sure you past your tests first! No squad would recruit a student with bad kido grades!" Sayuri smirked. Isshin glared at her. Just then, they heard someone knocking on the door. Isshin stopped putting things into boxes as he went to open the door. They were greeted by an expressionless Byakuya, carrying an expensive looking lunch box, and a smiling Matsumoto behind him.

"Hiya! You guys still packing? We should get this party started!" said Matsumoto, as she let herself in, Byakuya in tow. Byakuya looked around the small dirty house in disgust, but he went in anyway.

"Matsumoto! And Byakuya-bo too! Thanks for coming." Sayuri hugged the younger girl, and proceeded to pat Byakuya on the shoulder. Noticing the box he was carrying, she quickly took the lunch box from Byakuya and settled it down on a nearby table and peeked inside.

"Sushi made by the Kuchiki family's chef! Aww Byakuya-bo, didn't know you liked me that much!" Sayuri squealed in delight. She jumped into the the unwilling arms of Byakuya, and pulled him into a tight hug.

"Must...not... hit...girls..." The Kuchiki heir silently chanted. While hugging Byakuya, Sayuri noticed someone standing in front of the still opened door. It was Yorouichi. Sayuri let go of Byakuya, and made her way to the door to face the Shihouin heiress.

"I heard you were leaving today..." she muttered.

"Yup! Came to say goodbye?"

"Yes...And um... I wanted to talk to you..."

"About what?" Sayuri asked.

"Um... Can we talk somewhere private?" said Yorouichi. Sayuri looked behind her, Byakuya, Matsumoto, Nanao, Isshin and Retsu were all staring at them.

"Sure. Outside then?" Yorouichi nodded. Sayuri closed the door behind her as she proceeded into the street and started walking, Yorouichi followed after her. After a while Sayuri stopped walking, she pointed at a sakura tree. She went to sit at the base of the tree. Yorouichi did the same.

"Pretty sure they won't hear us here." said Sayuri. "Well? What did you want to talk about?"

"Why are you doing this?"

"Doing what?"

"I accidentally heard you and Kisuke talking after the tournament..." Yorouichi admitted. "Why did you do that? I thought you didn't like me?"

"I really didn't like you. When I first saw you in class, I had the impression that you were really nice and friendly even though you're a noble. But when I approached you acted all high and mighty, but It was so fake and that annoyed the hell out of me. I hate it when I see people acting, and not being true to themselves." said Sayuri. "But I guess.. since you've decided to take Kisuke back, you want to change all that?"

"I really do. I want to be more true to myself. People may say things about me, but I really wouldn't care. I just want to live my life the way I want it..." Yorouichi thought Sayuri was surprisingly easy to talk to.

"Yeah! That's the spirit!" Sayuri exclaimed. "I wouldn't want to leave Kisuke to you if you weren't determined."

"I know its going to be a rough road but... I'm sure it'll be alright, I won't runaway from my feelings for him anymore."

"Right. You should tell him that." said Sayuri.

"Why though, why give up on him? Don't you love him?"

"I do... I really do... But Kisuke never really loved me. It's always been you. I could never take your place. Kisuke thought he could replace you with me, but that's just not possible. He was a fool for thinking he could forget about you just like that...Hey, do me a favor, will ya?"

"What?' Yorouichi asked, why she asked her of all people a favor, she really didn't know.

"Don't let go of him no matter what. Because If you do and I hear about it, you better bet your ass I'll take him from you! Clear?"

"Y-yes..." Yorouichi agreed. Sayuri smiled at her as she extended her hand. Yorouichi took it gladly. This girl may seem like her complete opposite, and she may have annoyed the hell out of her before, but they did share something in common... and it had something to do with a lazy-ass blond genius.

"Visit us whenever you can, okay?" Nanao told Sayuri.

"I'll try." She said as she smiled at the younger girl.

"You better behave Sayuri, don't do anything rash and stupid!"

"Right back at ya, Isshin."

"Take care of yourself, Sayuri."

"You too Retsu...See you around Byakuya-bo!"

"Hmph, I hope not." said Byakuya, as he turned around and started to walk away.

"Don't mind him Sohma-san, I'm sure deep down, really deep deep down, he's sad that you're leaving."

"Haha! True true. See ya, Matsumoto!" said Sayuri, as she shook the younger girl's hand.

"Yup! It was really nice to get to know you Sohma-san. See ya!" said Matsumoto, as she bowed at Sayuri and quickly followed after Byakuya.

"Hey you, Better not forget about us when you rise through the ranks!" said Kuukaku. Sayuri smirked at her and nodded.

"Of course not! I'll make sure to parade my success in front of your faces!" She gloated. Sasakibe stepped out of the carriage that would escort Sayuri to the Kido Corp's Headquarters.

"Sayuri, It's time."

"Yes Uncle, be right there!" she told him. Sasakibe went back inside the carriage. "So I guess this is it, huh?" She looked at the faces of the people she came to know and love as her friends. She would really miss them, even though they haven't known each other that long. "Kisuke..." she called him. He was at the back, hiding behind his friends. He had been quiet all day. "No parting words?" she asked.

"Bye..." he muttered. Sayuri walked towards him, and pulled him into a tight hug. At first Kisuke just stood there, but eventually, he wrapped his arms around her, and buried his face into her hair. Sayuri stroked his hair and whispered into his ear. "You'll be fine without me."

Kisuke pulled back, and smiled at her. " See you around, Miss Kido Corps member." he told her. Sayuri grinned at him.

"Yeah you too, Mr. Genius!" Sayuri waved one last time at the rest of her friends, as she stepped inside the carriage. They all stood there, following the carriage as it took off and disappeared when it turned into an intersection. Sohma Sayuri had left them just as sudden as when she first came into their lives. But she did leave quite an impression them, she would surely be missed.

Kisuke took one last look at Sayuri's house, as he followed behind the others who had started walking on their way home.

"Kisuke..." a voice called him from behind. He could recognize the voice from anywhere. He turned around to face her. He didn't avoid her gaze this time, as his green eyes met with her gold ones for the first time in months.

"Hey..." He greeted her. Yorouichi took a deep breath before she spoke.

"I...uhm... you see..." Yorouichi was having problems with coherency, and at such an important time too.

"Would it be alright if I talked first?" Kisuke asked her. Yorouichi nodded. "I'm still in love with you." he told her. Yorouichi felt her heart skip a beat. His face was all serious and straight, he really meant it. Yorouichi wanted to start leaping in joy, but stopped herself from doing so. Instead she cleared her throat, and found her voice.

"I-I'm... still in love with you too..." she managed to say. She could feel her cheeks burning. She was finally able to say it. She felt relieved in a way.

"I know, and I'm happy that you still feel the same way..." said Kisuke. Yorouichi was about to speak, when Kisuke beat her to it. "But... I don't think we should be getting back together." he added. Yorouichi felt her heart sink, the feeling of rejection,coming down on her.

"Why not?" she asked him, her voice a bit shaky.

Kisuke scratched the back of his head. Yorouichi knew what it meant, he was nervous. "We've been through so much, this past year. And even though our feelings for each other haven't changed, we've both become different people. Sure, we're both aspiring to be the same thing, but we're still very different people. I'm not saying that I don't want to be with you again... I'm just not ready to be in a relationship just yet. I just... really want to make sure that when we do get together again, nothing's going to go wrong again. I'm not making that much sense, am I?" Kisuke rambled. Yorouichi shook her head. "I guess not..." he trailed off. "Well It's like..errr... eating your favorite food."

"Eating?" she asked him, a confused expression on her face.

"When you're faced with mountains of your favorite food, naturally you'd want to eat it, stuff your face in it, because you love it so much, but after eating so much, you get indigestion, and it hurts like hell. Even though you really love that food, you still couldn't avoid getting hurt because you loved it too much. So after a while, you come across your favorite food again, but instead of jumping right into it to eat it, you'd be more cautious this time, because you know that if you're not careful, you could end up having indigestion again. You know that you want it so much, but you have to proceed with caution because you don't want to go through the same thing again. Do you get the analogy?"

"A bit... I guess." said Yorouichi.

"It's not that I don't want to be with you... I just want to take things slow for a while..."

"That makes sense..."

"So what I'm trying to say is... why don't we start all over by being friends again?" Kisuke asked. It wasn't quite was she expecting, but what he said did make sense. She would accept it of course, she'd rather be his friend than just being a classmate. It was better than nothing.

"Sure... Friends." Yorouichi wasn't really quite happy about that, but if she could start hanging out with Kisuke, it would make a lot of difference. And that was something she could absolutely live with.

a/n: sorry it was short, kinda rushed it, don't wanna disappoint you guys again by taking too long to update! So? What do you think? Don't forget to review this one too, 'kay? I'm gonna miss writing Sayuri, she was such a fun character! Did you read the latest bleach manga? Damn aizen is wickedly cool! I'm rambling, anyways, i'll try not to take too long to update! Cheers!

Oh and on another note, really sorry if it's not as close to the real thing... i started this fic way before the pendulum arc came out, so back then i didn't really know who was older, or who became a captain first. But don't worry! I'll make it as close to the real thing as possible!

Thank you so much for the reviews! Keep em coming! ^_^