Authors Chat: Writing this chapter, I wasn't sure what the ratings were nor what was considered 'ok' on TV by Japanese standards, so I'm going to assume the occasional cuss is alright. I figure if they're going to have 'adult' situations in this cameo with Katsuki, they can have a cuss word or two!

I would greatly appreciate your comments and constructive criticism!

That being said, italics text are direct thoughts of characters, text is in quotes, noises are done with asterisks.

DISCLAIMER: Skip Beat! and it's characters are not my original creation, they are owned and created by Nakamura Yoshiki.

Story Timeline: This fanfic is outside the timeline Nakamura-sensei has set forth. This would take place past the present storyline, but a not-so-distant future. Character development applies as I will attempt to keep the characters as Nakamura-sensei has made them. (Otherwise it just isn't a fanfiction but rather a fiction merely using the same names!) Just don't forget that some things may seem a bit out of character since they (characters) are in situations that Nakamura-sensei has not yet put them into or developed the emotional necessity for.

Playing With Fire

Act 9

Kyoko was a bit embarrassed to be climbing in bed with Ren. Even though they were fully clothed, it still felt much too intimate. In a way, it was invading his personal space; this was where Ren slept night after night. There had always seemed to be ample space on Ren's king-sized bed when she had seen it before, but now that she was about lay in it, and not alone, it somehow seemed much too small.

Ren was holding the blankets up, waiting for her to climb in and join him in the bed.

This would not be the last time she had to share a bed with him, so why couldn't she just get in? They would have to perform this scene on the set, in front of many other people. Maybe that would help.

Kyoko looked around the room, imagining a camera crew and the other actors scattered about preparing to film the scene. Kyoko's embarrassment grew. She was climbing into bed with this many people watching, and what was more, she was climbing into bed WITH A MAN.

"Mogami-san? Are you alright?" Ren noticed the change of shade in Kyoko's face. "If you don't want to, we can work on this scene another time, after your knee has fully healed. This scene isn't being shot on Monday anyway." He was offering her the easy out.

"No, i-it's fine. We have the time to practice now, so we should practice ALL the scenes we have together."

"Then come on." He patted the bed beside him and waited for her to climb in.

She slid in and took position lying on her back on Ren's right side, both facing the ceiling. It felt a little silly to start from this point, seconds before Natsu rolled over, but this was where the scene started.

Natsu rolled over toward the nightstand and pulled a piece of gum from the fresh pack she had bought on her way to the hotel. She dropped the wrapper onto the table before turning over and scooting back toward Katsuki.

Natsu's head was near Katsuki's shoulder while her feet were hanging off the side of the bed. She was propped on her elbows and slowly biting off bits of the gum, adding it to the growing mass in her mouth.

"What are you thinking Sensei? You were almost gentle today."

"… I was thinking I'm actually going to miss you a little Kitagawa-san."

Natsu laughed. "Don't worry Sensei. My parents are gone for business a lot. We can still hook up over summer if you want. Besides, there's always next year."

"No Kitagawa-san, there isn't. … Do you remember me telling you about my family's death and how I would get my revenge?"

"Yeah, so?"

"I've found the bastard who did it."

"Really Sensei?! Who was it? Who's the murderer? Anyone I know?" Natsu was eager and almost seemed joyous to get the bit of dirt.

"No… no one you know. They … his family … doesn't live near here." Katsuki was silent for a few minutes before continuing. "I'm dating his daughter. I'm going to change schools to be near her and her family, and because this is important to me, that means not being with you."

"Well… I can't say that I don't understand, so lets go one more round then… at least get our money's worth from the room."

Natsu understood full well that there was nothing but casual sex between them, but on some level, it still hurt to hear that. If Katsuki had been about five years younger, she might honestly have fallen in love with the jerk.

This was messed up. She had originally started bothering Katsuki-sensei thinking to drive him out of the school. A new teacher starting in the middle of the year when her previous teacher had taken ill, he should not have been able to control the class. The general consensus was that if no teacher could last long enough to instruct them, they would all take good marks in the class since it was from no fault of their own that they couldn't manage to keep an instructor. Only problem was that it had to be someone's fault to make the instructor leave, and Natsu knew this would be an opportunity for some entertainment, so she had willingly approached Katsuki with the intent to get involved with him and expose their relationship to the Board of Directors. The school would not be able to withstand such a scandal, and Katsuki would be forced to leave while Natsu would seem a victim. It was a guaranteed way to make the best grade in the class with the least amount of work.

What Natsu had not expected was that Katsuki had a much stronger personality and will than she expected. He was forceful, and rough, and exciting… in a sense, a perfect match for her. What was more, he never was willing to start a relationship with her. Just casual sex – which they had a lot of to be sure. Problem was, Natsu had already been with men before, so there was no way to prove of her involvement with Katsuki, and therefore she never was able to go to the Board of Directors. It would be her word against his.

Katsuki had turned out to be more cunning than she expected, and eventually, she gave up trying to drive Katsuki off, and just enjoyed the relationship they had together, if it could be called that.

Their time together wasn't spent thinking about each other, nor did they spend time devoted to pillow-talk. Instead, it was purely about the physical contact and satisfying their primal needs to be touched and feel the warmth of another body entwining with their own.

While their 'relationship' was purely physical, Natsu did know a little about Katsuki. His performance usually varied based on the thoughts occupying his mind, and it had become habit to ask him after sex what he had been thinking about. She had learned his mannerisms that way.

If he was thinking about things related to school, she found that he would usually take her on her knees from behind and provide a steady rhythm to gradually let the orgasm build. He was never gentle though, he liked things rough, liked to spank, and push her to her limits.

If he was thinking about his dead family, he usually would take her up against the wall, hard and fast with not much foreplay.

Gentle just was not his style, and that suited Natsu just fine. She was used to pain, and rather liked it that way. Pain would eventually turn to pleasure, and though she was usually sore the next day after rough sex, the endorphins released during were too much of a high to want otherwise.

This gentle Katsuki was somewhat of an enigma to her.

When she leaned over to kiss him and get things started again, he let her take the lead. His kisses were gentle and breathy and… and almost sweet.

Katsuki reached up with his far hand and caressed her hair, pulling her in toward him and into his embrace.

Katsuki sighed happily and held Natsu to his chest.

"Mogami-san… the truth is… I may be in love with you just a little bit. Lets let this last time be a cherished memory. Lets make love once, instead of just fucking."

"… alright Sensei. I won't deny you this once… but don't call any other girl's names this time. Only Kitagawa-san…. No… only Natsu-san."

That wasn't the right line… wait… oh wait… I…. I said Mogami-san…. She… did she not realize…?

Ren kept Natsu's head pressed against his chest so Kyoko could not see the look of pure panic in his eyes.

Kyoko, however, being pressed to his chest could hear his racing heart, and it echoed loudly through her mind.

..........

Author's Note: I just thought I should mention for clarification... All of the back-story in Natsu's thoughts are due to the extent of which Kyoko creates her characters in order to portray the role successfully. The thoughts written from Natsu are NOT part of the actual scene, i.e. it will not be narration in the actual take. Most of the actual story information (the situation why Katsuki is with Natsu) is meant to be actually already covered and already shot in an earlier take.