Graduating

"She is currently living in," and here he paused, certain that his employer would not be happy with what he said next. After using such measures to bring the Makino family to America, the one he wanted closer to him did not make the journey. He breathed deeply, "Japan."

.

"Today we embark on a journey, taking with us the teachings of Eitoku. I am proud of each and every one of you and wish nothing but the best for all of your future endeavors. Congratulations!"

Tsukushi stood up with everyone as if in a dream. It was the ending of one chapter of her life. The F4, the crazy student body and all of their odd behaviors seemingly possessed only by the rich. All of that was over. She sighed with happiness. She was free!

She flowed with the mass of students exiting the platform to enter the crowd of graduation spectators gathered in the courtyard, searching for familiar faces. Every once in awhile she bumped into her friends and exchanged congratulatory words, their happiness contagious. Her feet moved quickly through the hundreds of bodies as she continued her search. And then her eyes alighted on a mop of curly hair, the familiarity clenching her heart. What was he doing here?

"Congratulations Tsukushi!", the chorus of voices jarred her, eyes automatically seeking out her family. They were a few feet away and making their way towards her, but she couldn't find the curly curly head again. She focused on her family, relieved for the time being that she wouldn't face him. Her family came up to her in a rush, and she saw them unaffected by their surroundings. A fancy school inhabited by fancier people all sporting fanciful designer clothes. No. They didn't take notice of any of this as they gathered around her, their attention solely on her. It made her feel special and safe. She graduated from high school and would soon be attending the most prestigious university in Japan. She hugged her parents in a rare show of affection, even hugging her brother for a split second. Nothing could ruin her happiness.

"Thank you!" she responded in kind, beaming from ear to ear.

.

"Don't get attached Rui."

"Hm?" Rui crossed his arms in front of himself, an amused smile adorning his face.

"Makino is mine," Domyouji declared.

"What about Shigeru?" Rui casually asked, forcing Domyouji to turn away in disdain.

"She is nothing but a pawn in my mother's game."

In an even tone, "what does that make you Tsukasa?"

"The king." He paused, choosing his words best to suit his mood. "Makino will be my queen. She will protect me from the of my family. She will be my happiness," if only in secret he added as an afterthought.

"That's a heavy burden," Rui commented. At Domyouji's blank stare, "to be a queen."

"I am worth it," Domyouji said confidently. "Stay away from her Rui. I can provide for her and give her everything she needs. She doesn't need you."

Rui was silent as he listened to his friend claim his dear friend, trying to reconcile their actions. "And the past year?"

"What about it?" Domyouji asked loftily.

Rui sighed. "Your neglect left her unhappy."

"And? She should know better. I am a great man, and she should be content to know that I favor her," he said flustered. At Rui's look of disbelief, he continued, "she should have come with me if she needs me so much."

Rui read between the posturing and found the familiar selfishness that his friend sometimes exhibited.

"She's just a girl," he finally replied.

Domyouji shrugged in response. "I'll have her just the same. Jya Rui."

Rui watched his friend blend into the crowd. His plan had worked, but he didn't feel good about it.

.

"Domyouji, where are you taking me?" she asked as they weaved through the crowd. She garnered no response from the man and glanced behind her at her parents shocked faces. Tsukushi didn't miss the troubled eyes of Hanazawa Rui as he watched their departure. Why are they just standing there? What is going on? She turned back and watched Domyouji in rising panic. She didn't like this.

Tsukushi tried standing still to get an answer out of him but he yanked her arm that much harder. The crowd took no notice of the leader of F4 pulling a small girl behind him, too caught up in their own celebrations. The people thinned out as they neared their destination, making their path easier. They took multiple turns across the sprawling campus, Makino compelled to follow the strong grip on her wrist.

She recognized the corridors they were walking in, a path she had taken nearly every day of her high school career. The barely used corridor that led to her staircase haven is where Domyouji decided to stop. He whirled around, forcing her to involuntarily step back until her back touched the wall.

The flush on her skin, reminded him of his dream, but the panic in her eyes was nothing like the adoration her dream self had possessed. He stared at her, as she stared back, and finally he broke eye contact and turned his head away, looking at the door that led to the staircase.

"You're such a stupid girl. Are all poor people so stupid?" he said with frustration.

She hadn't known what to expect, but this was not it.

"W-wha?"

"You let me go," he stated. Her thoughts raced back to that telephone conversation and the many months in Domyouji's silence before that.

"But you were never there!" she said accusingly,

"I'm a great man Tsukushi. The greatest man in Japan and one day I'll conquer New York. But you let the greatest me slip through your fingers." He was facing her again, his eyes searching her face for the answers to the question unasked. The panic faded from her, as everything became clear to her.

"If I can't have it all, I don't want it," she said quietly in response. Her innocent eyes looked at him. She hoped he could understand that.

"WHAAT? Even a poor man knows some is better than none."

"And even a rich man knows a person can never be portioned out," she snapped back.

"I know things. I know more than a simple girl can ever hope to understand. After high school I went abroad to make myself greater so I could take care of you. Who else would take care of a stupid girl like you?"

She looked at him in disbelief, hurt shining in her eyes and emotions running wild inside of her. Her first love had grown into a hard man she barely recognized. When it had ended she thought something about her had changed. Maybe that wasn't it.

"You are unbelievable!" she shouted at him, her voice echoed down the halls and dispersed to be replaced by her rapid breathing.

"Such a large voice for such a small girl. It hurts my head."

She pushed off against the wall on to two steady feet. "I can take care of myself. I don't need you," her voice tight with emotion. She started to turn away from him, but he grasped her wrist and turned her back towards him.

He leaned in towards her and whispered in her ear, "this isn't the end."

"Oi! Tsukasa, Makino! There you are," Akira called cheerfully down the hall. Tsukasa straightened up, releasing Makino's wrist. If the rest of the F4 noticed, they didn't comment.

"Tsukasa, your monkey is looking for you," Soujiroh said casually. Tsukasa nodded and unconsciously fixed his clothes as he walked towards Akira and Soujiroh. With a nod of acknowledgement, Domyouji walked down the hallway towards the faint noise of the graduates and their proud families. Akira watched Tukushi with concern until Domyouji's voice demanded his presence.

Tsukushi watched the trio's retreating backs until the echo of their shoes faded into silence. She took a deep breath and slowly blinked her eyes. Shigeru? After all the commotion, she had nearly forgotten about Shigeru, the person who now had a special place at Domyouji's side. What was he thinking, saying those things?

The corridors were quiet. Numbly, she gathered her wits about her and made her way back to her family.

.

Your wish is my command... (thanks for the reviews!)

Ashdesmond