Lights that always spot me.

Thinking I could really be calm with cameras around was a falsehood I didn't realize I had even told myself.

I genuinely believed that if I would just take a leap all would somehow work out beautifully and I could have my happy ending but what happened after a truly perfect date I didn't expect a camera swarm(Though Kaoru warned me that would be the opportune time to try and compromise him or me).
Nor did I expect to have the next morning a large gathering at our apartment door waiting like wolves for the prey.

I feel so maddened by the quicker than expected loss of privacy which I should have known better,I mean look at gossip columns daily.

I was in the backseat of Uncle Goji's car trying to avoid being seen to the way to the market only to enter relatively calm until the store tv's were showing a video a cameraman caught of me kissing Kenshin.
I practically screamed and I almost never do that.

Work was even worse because every girl who came in looked at me like I stole the man of their dreams from under them,the men and boys who came to the store glance at me like I have suddenly become the embodiment of a gross fantasy I don't want to even name at all.

Even thinking about the whole weekend now makes me shiver from the sleazy feel of something that was not even sleazy at all.

It was most likely the best moment of my life if I am being brutally honest with myself here.

My phone's are both beeping now,all weekend Kenshin and even Sokako have been messaging me,It is strange now I actually have more than one person to use my little smart beep machine of a phone for.

She and I have started to talk more since the last sighting of each other,I almost think we are friends again.
Oiha is nowhere to be found and Sokako joins me at the schools door where the boys there stand and linger with tongues lapping their own lips with the expression of a number of improper thoughts of me that WILL not happen.

I can't see Kenshin anywhere,Sokako actually uses her own uniform coat to cover my head and help me in when a group of photographers start yelling at me:

"How did the first date really go?"
"How far did you both really go?"
"Is he really a prince or a bad boy?Tell us ,the ones you can trust!"
"Who would have thought a quiet girl like you would have the nerve of steel to actually kiss the Kendo prodigy!Do you have expectations for a grand future with the Heart of the sword?"

My feet do not make it inside gracefully but I am inside,the cameramen are outside,unable to bother me in here.
She and I walk to our adjoining lockers together and put on our slippers,I stare at mine as we walk up the stairs.Sokako takes my hand and it is a strange sensation to feel that feeling.

Kaoru and now Sokako have created a feeling for me akin to sisterhood,all this time she and I had been lost to friendship over really nothing.

She just wanted to be liked by more than one and I broke down for much longer than maybe I should have,I still haven't forgiven myself for what I did,what my actions caused but I-I have to move forward.

"He had some family thing happen,I heard that his grandfather and grandmother have become a bit sick and since his school work is always ahead he can catch up without losing anything."

I nod as I look down at my phone as she spoke,he said as much to me in a text as well as how sorry he was that everything went from perfect to movie set in minutes but I replied:

"If you can live with what I told you that night and not think the worst of me, then I will fight through this.I think it is worth it don't you."

I think I have never seen so many smile face replies in my life,I look up to see how Sokako smirks.

"I never really believed that kind of thing existed.I guess anything really can happen.We are kind of friends again now so why not believe anything is possible.Eh?"

It is a strange feeling indeed.

LATER

Sokako and I are outside on the rooftop,so far no prying eyes are here.We are sharing a pack of strawberry and cherry mochi when I catch sight of Arata walking towards us.
I stiffen but see something about him that for whatever reason.
Even after everything.

Makes me pause.

"Can we talk?Please,it isn't about before okay.I promise,it is important."

I feel about as relaxed as a board.
But his eyes,those glasses wearing eyes have something in them that I always had a weakness towards and I relent.

Somewhat.

"I have only have two questions and I will let you alone,first.Did you see anyone after you left with Kenshin the other night?Before you ask yes I watched you go,I was being a little creepy yes and yes but that isn't important now.Did you?"

Half of me is almost revolted and the other half confused.

"No Arata,I was a bit nervous and distracted to look much beyond my feet or at the road.Please hurry this up because I am really wanting to get back inside now."

I actually feel sort of bad for my harsh tone,he even looked like I started him with it but he continues on shoving his hands in his pockets hard and adjusting his glasses over and over by titling his head absently.

"Do you know where Oiha is?"

I shake my head,to be honest we have hated each other for years so I can not say I really even care but why does he suddenly?

He rushes off but before he turns and fully leaves out the door he looks at me,really looks at me and speaks softly.
Even the wind almost hides his words like he seems to want to do but he speaks anyway.

"I hate him because you are really his,I see that now but I do not think you should ever let this go Yuki,You deserve a prince not some grumpy joke like me.I see that now too,You have no idea what he is,I only just found out and regret only that I am not him....I wish you had been the one that night years ago,I really wish it had been you."

Arata leaves quietly,I turn to look back at Sokako who is texting so many numbers so fast it makes my eyes blur and I try to pat her back and help comfort her but it fails.

Where is she?
What was Arata talking about?

I hear my phone beep while Sokako and I walk down the steps to get back to class,my eyes follow after Arata who is fast walking out of school with an older man with him I do not know.My eyes read the words and they are Kenshins.

"Hello Lovely.
Crisis is averted and I am being made to leave the premises because apparently I hover to much for my grandparents!They have insisted I go out with you,be away from the doctors a bit so I will pick you after work if I am so honored?"

I smile.

A Kendo boy who knows his way around words may well be the death of me or the best dream I could ever hope for.