Disclaimer: I don't own bleach.

This little 500 word drabble came as inspiration from the song, Sayonara by Orange Range. Shortest thing I've written yet, but it was basically cramped in my head. I know, some of you are going to yell at me to stop posting one-shots and compile a collection, but I'm still waiting for the motivation for that! Enjoy!

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Sayonara

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I stood there, watching your chest heaving up and down in slight discomfort. It was about a week after the final battle… but I came back here day after day in hopes he'll finally wake up. However, it was not longer that easy… the price for finishing the war…

"We won Ichigo… you won…"

Your powers and your memories…

"Wake up…"

…sealed away so you may live a normal life once again. A normal life where you would never knew the frightfulness of war at such a young age. A life where reality was hidden. A life… where I had never existed.

"Just one more time… I wish to talk with you… argue with you… yell at you…"

I never thought it would be so hard, to let go of you. Even as I held your hand during this moment I felt my own chest threatening to rip apart as I slowly pulled my hands away from yours, grabbing the Shinigami badge from the table… as you'd never have to use it ever again.

Never had I thought of how much pain you would feel.

"Oi Kurosaki-kun!"

"Inoue! Tatsuki!"

I came back to survey your progress of recovery anytime I felt I could take time off my duties. However, as I watched from the tree outside, I couldn't help but notice the look in your eyes. Those amber eyes that were once filled with so much will and power, so much determination and strength…

"Please answer the next question, Kurosaki-san!"

Empty as the desk next to you…

"Ichigo! Let's go do some Karaoke!"

"Ah... no thanks... I feel like heading home..."

You continued to live, as I continued to watch. You knew something was wrong, seemingly to unconsciously know that something was missing from your life. I could only watch helplessly, nothing more then a shadow on your wall.

"Why do I feel like this..."

But even as you sit here on the side of the river back, staring out at the sunset, the look on your face says more then those words ever could say. You wanted to find out what was the missing part of your life, yet you wanted to move on and forget about this phase. It seemed logical after all.

Yet, I could never accept it, but I knew I had to. I had to stop coming back to see you.

You seemingly flinch as I slowly wrapped my arms around your shoulder, placing my cheek next to yours. You slowly turn to look at me, slight surprise on your face. You can't see me, but you know something is there. However, not even the tears on my face that moment could show you the existence of the one called Kuchiki Rukia…

"Sayonara…"

Those final words slowly left my mouth. I slowly closed my eyes, soaking in the moment. This was it… I promised myself that I would no longer burden myself by coming back. I am a Shinigami… Human emotions are supposed to be worthless…

Yet they showed so much of it as your hand gripped onto the fabric of my kimono.

"…"

"…R-Rukia…?"

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Yes, I'm a sucker for happy endings, R+R.