Disclaimer: I don't own Hana Yori Dango.

13 years later…

"Hey Tsukushi, it's me, Yuki… when are you coming back? I can't wait to see you… it's been forever since I've last seen you. Call me when you get this message so I can pick you up. I already set up your room so it's ready to be lived in. I still can't believe we're living together! Ok, call me!"

Tsukushi smiled as she heard her best friend's voice. 'I'm finally going back home,' she thought, 'Studying abroad was fun, but I missed being with the people I care about.' She picked up her cell phone and called Yuki back.

"Hey Yuki, it's me, my plane will arrive at 6 p.m. Can you pick me up?"

"Of course I can. I missed you!"

Laughing, Tsukushi told her to meet her at terminal C. They chatted for a bit before she boarded the plane. Sitting back in her chair she thought of the people she couldn't wait to see. There weren't that many people for her to miss. Being raised in an orphanage didn't help. But there was one particular person she wanted to see. A black, curly haired man with brown eyes…

Airport Terminal C…

"Tsukky! Tsukky!"

Hearing a voice calling her she turned around. She was shocked to see her friend, Yuki, coming her way. Gone was the plain Jane look. Now she looked like she could've walked out of a Vogue magazine.

"Look at you! You're beautiful as ever," exclaimed Yuki.

"You're looking hot yourself," replied Tsukushi with a big hug.

"Yeah, this is what $10,000 dollars in plastic surgery and a make over can do to you," she joked.

Once settled in Yuki' car, the two friends quickly fell into their usual chatter of men, fashion, and life.

"So what's been happening around here since I've been gone?" Tsukushi asked.

"Not much, the same stuff I guess. Oh! We got a new club in town."

"Oh no, here we go again," laughed Tsukushi, "another club, another man, right?"

"Hey! It's not even like that anymore. I have a man now you know."

"Ooh… so how'd you meet him and when do I get to meet him?"

"Later on tonight… he works at the new club."

"So if I want to see him then I have to go, huh? You're sneaky," said Tsukushi laughing.

"Hey Tsukushi… have you and you-know-who been talking?"

There was a silent pause.

"Why do you ask?"

"Oh, no reason, just curious," replied Yuki deep in thought.

Not too far in the distant, in a large quiet office on the tallest building…

A tall man standing at 6 feet 2 inches, with a body that rivaled Michelangelo's David, wearing the latest black suit from Armani with a red silk tie, stood looking at the panoramic view from his office. A knock interrupted the quiet room.

"Enter."

A short scruffy man walked in with a file in his hands. He glanced around at the elegantly decorated room, envying the expensive black leather chairs to the soft cream colored carpets. His eyes shifted to the man who was standing at the window with his back turned. This man radiated wealth and power. 'This is a man you never cross,' he thought to himself with a big gulp.

"Sir, our report confirms that her plane has landed and she's been picked up."

"Excellent. Leave the file on my desk. That will be all."

"Yes, sir," the little man says as he dropped the file on the desk. He quietly leaves the office with a gentle click as the door closes.

The man turned and opened the file to find a familiar face looking back at him. He reached out and touched the picture.

"So you've finally returned, Tsukushi."

Later on that night…

Both girls were getting dressed for the club. Yuki dressed in a red tank top and black skirt with stilettos while Tsukushi opted for a one piece spaghetti strapped black dress with black knee high boots. Vamped up and ready to dance they headed for the club.

"So what's this new club called?" asked Tsukushi on the drive there.

"Oh, I didn't tell you? It's called 'S.M.' They just recently opened."

"S.M.? What kind of name is that?" laughed Tsukushi. "Don't tell me your dragging me to a whip and chains kind of club."

"Oh it stands for something. I forgot what it is though. Saint something."

'SM…' thought Tsukushi, 'no, it couldn't be… could it?' Dismissing the thought from her mind, she concentrated on having fun on her first night back in town. In the club Tsukushi met Yuki' new squeeze, Soujiroh. He was a handsome man, a perfect match for Yuki. She was happy for her friend. Not many people can see past her tough chick image.

"Excuse me ladies, my boss wants to see me," said Soujiroh.

"No problem, it was nice meeting you."

"You too. See ya later babe," said Soujiroh, giving Yuki a quick kiss.

The girls chatted for a few minutes, finished their drinks, and headed for the dance floor. They danced and flirted their way through the crowd, laughing and having a good time. Out of nowhere Tsukushi abruptly stops and looks around. 'Why do I get the feeling someone's watching me?'

"What's the matter Tsuky?" Yuki asked peering around curiously.

"Nothing," Tsukushi said shaking her head.

"Excuse me ladies, I think we've met before," said a familiar voice.

"Well, well, if it isn't Rui Hanazawa. Back from New York?" said Yuki.

"You know it. I missed this town, even though I was so eager to leave it," replied Rui.

Rui Hanazawa, he was a handsome man. Standing at 6'4 with an athletic body and charm oozing from his every pore, no wonder all the ladies swoons at the sight of him. He was a wealthy business man and the heir to a large company.

"And you remember Tsukushi Makino."

"Wow," he replied, looking her up and down, "you sure grew up didn't you? You're absolutely gorgeous."

"Thank you, you don't look too bad yourself Rui," replied Tsukushi, blushing from the attention.

"How about I buy you two ladies a drink and we can play catch up," he flirted with a charming smile.

Tsukushi and Yuki agreed, leaving the dance floor, they followed Rui towards his booth eager to catch up on each others lives.

Somewhere on the other side of the club…

The dark handsome man gazed at Tsukushi, not believing that she was here. It's been 3 years since he's last seen her in person. The awkward girl he used to know transformed to this stylishly chic woman he was looking at now. Deciding to approach her he called over to Akira, the head bartender to make sure Soujiroh wasn't there when he made his move. He was about to stride over when he saw them get up. They were walking onto the dance floor. He chuckled when he saw the old mischievous look he remembered on her face. He could feel the tinkling of her laughter wash over him, making him yearn for the days when they were carefree kids. His smile slowly started to fade when he saw Rui Hanazawa approach them. Anger filled him. Rui Hanazawa, his rival. They competed for everything since they were young. He wanted to go over and pound the smile off his face, but that would ruin his chances to talk to Tsukushi. 'There will always be other opportunities… and if not, then I'll make opportunities for us to meet,' he thought as he left the club.

One week later, Yuki's picnic…

Yuki' annual picnics were a blast and widely known for her good food and outrageous games. Tsukushi and Rui were in charge of filling water balloons, while Yuki and Soujiroh prepared the food.
"Rui! Stop!" laughed Tsukushi, "There won't be anymore water balloons if you keep popping them."

"I'm not trying to pop them, I can't tie them," replied a frustrated Rui.

"Ok, how about you fill them and I'll tie them. Deal?"

"You got a deal, lady," laughed Rui.

The guests were starting to arrive one after another. Soon the crowd of about 30 people were laughing and participating in the pie eating contests. Tsukushi, filthy from the pies, ran into the house to change, not noticing the man who followed her. Humming as she rummaged through her closet for a shirt, she heard a knock. Thinking it was Yuki', she yelled for her to come in.

"Yuki, your picnic's a blast, can you belie—," She stopped in surprise and shock as she saw him standing there in her room… the man with black hair and brown eyes…

"Tsukasa."

He smiled when he heard his name on her lips. 'So, she didn't forget about me.'

"Hello Tsukushi. Long time no see."

"Three years, Tsukasa. How have you been?" she asked politely.

"Good and yourself? You're settled in, I see."

"Yeah, I've been home for over a week now. I didn't know you were invited to the picnic."

"Am I not wanted here, Tsukushi?" he replied.

"No, that's not what I meant…"

Tsukasa laughed, "You're still easy to tease Kushi."

'Kushi'… that was a name she hadn't heard in long time. The only person ever to call her that was Tsukasa. Seeing him after all these years still made her weak. He still looked as good as he did three years ago, but gone was the boyish charm, now replaced by the godly dark look. Both dangerous and sinfully sexy at the same time.

"Tsukky, my love, where are you?" Rui called playfully as he burst into the room.

Rui paused when he saw Tsukasa.

"Hanazawa," Tsukasa said coldly.

"Domyouji," Rui replied glaring at Tsukasa.

Tsukushi looked back and forth from Tsukasa and Rui wondering what the reason was for the animosity. Breaking the awkward silence, Tsukushi asked,

"Rui, did you need something?"

"Yuki was wondering where you were at. She wants you to participate in the water balloon fight."

"Tell her I'll be there in a minute, I still need to change."

"Alright," he said, not budging from his spot.

"Rui?"

"Yeah?"

"Aren't you going to tell her?"

"Yeah, after I find out why he's here."

"I don't owe you any explanations, Hanazawa," Tsukasa sneered.

Rui started to move towards Tsukasa. Tsukushi sensing trouble jumped between the two men.

"Stop it, both of you. I don't know what's going on here, but leave if you two are going to fight," Tsukushi said, one hand on Tsukasa and the other on Rui.

"He should leave—," Rui started.

"Please Rui, stop. I was still talking to Tsukasa. Just tell Yuki that I'll be down in a minute," Tsukushi interrupted.

Rui looked ready to argue, but Tsukushi silently pleaded for him to go.

"Fine," said Rui giving Tsukasa one last glare before leaving.

"What's the matter with you two?" asked Tsukushi.

"Nothing. What's the deal with you and Hanazawa?"

"Tsukasa…" Tsukushi started.

"No, you don't have to answer that. I'm sorry you had to witness that. Forgive me?" he said with a half grin, giving her a glimpse of the mischievous boy she used to know.

Sighing, she smiled at him, saying what she used to say to him, "Always."

"Friends?"

"Friends," Tsukushi agreed.

"Have dinner with me tomorrow?" Tsukasa asked.

"I don't know…" she said hesitantly.

"Please?"

Tsukushi's defense weakened. She hated when he did that, but she hated how she couldn't resist him even more.

"Fine, you win," she said giving in.

"I'll send a car for you at 7 then."

Tsukushi nodded. As Tsukasa walked towards her, her heart started pumping faster. Standing in front of her, their eyes met for what seems like an eternity, and then he leaned down, giving her a kiss on the corner of her mouth.

"Welcome home Kushi, I missed you." Then he strode out of her room and left the party.

Tsukushi rejoined the party, but wasn't completely aware of what was going on. She was still shocked about seeing Tsukasa and unconsciously touching the spot where he kissed her. Rui looked at her with a frown, wondering what happened.

Later that night, as she lay in bed, she replayed what happened earlier. 'Why now,' she wondered. 'Is he just toying with me or just being nice?' She still felt the same way she did three years ago. She still loved him. 'It's been three years… three years since I last saw him…'

Hmm... sorry this isn't great.. haha... but please leave a comment!