27. The Photoshoot

511 Words

The photographer was a dark-haired man in his mid-thirties. While his assistants set up the studio to their liking, adjusting the lights and setting up the camera and other equipment, the cast of the lead actors of the TV drama Inuyasha were all gathered in their dressing rooms, being fitted and made up for the shoot.

Once everything – and everyone – was ready, the long day of shooting the photos could finally begin.

First, the photographer took several single shots of each actor and actress, after which they proceeded to the group shots. He snapped a few of the entire cast, before he started arranging them into smaller groups as befitted their characters. 'Sesshoumaru' was photographed together with 'Rin'. 'Naraku', 'Kagura' and 'Kohaku' comprised another smaller group. 'Kohaku' was also photographed a few times with 'Sango'. There were shots of the whole Inutachi, then some couple photos taken – 'Inuyasha' and 'Kagome', 'Inuyasha' and 'Kikyo', 'Kagome' and 'Kouga' and 'Miroku' and 'Sango'.

Satsuki was nervous, and trying her best not to let it show. Modelling for photographs was new to her, but it helped to watch and learn from the actors and actresses around her. She sat to the side, studying their expressions, movements and postures. And when her turn came, she did what she felt was right – she sank into 'Kagome' and stopped being Satsuki. Instead of thinking how 'Kagome' would act, how she would stand, what kind of expression she would wear, the actress became 'Kagome'.

Then came another group shot, and the photographer stood behind his camera, arranging his models the way he saw fit.

"Inuyasha, stand next to Kikyo! Kagome, go stand on Inuyasha's other side. Sesshoumaru, stand behind Inuyasha and Kagome. Kouga, stand next to Kagome…"

Satsuki stopped hearing the photographer's voice the moment Narita Ken took his spot. She could feel him standing there and suddenly there were shivers running down her back.

"Alright, everyone, ready? Eyes here!"

The photographer took a few shots of the group. And that was when he noticed it.

There was a spark.

"Thank you everyone for your co-operation. That is all for today!"

As the members of the cast began to head towards their dressing rooms, the photographer raised his voice once again.

"Yukino-san? Would you mind staying for a while longer? Narita-san, you as well, please."

Confused, Satsuki walked to the photographer, closely followed by Narita Ken.

"What is this about?" the actor asked in his deep, smooth voice.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to take a few pictures more of you two."

"But.. But 'Kagome' barely has any interaction with 'Sesshoumaru' in the TV drama…" Satsuki objected faintly.

"I don't care about that, to be honest. But my instincts are telling me there is something here and I want to see if I'm right. So please, I would appreciate if you would come back for a few more pictures after you've taken off your costumes."

Narita Ken smirked just then, and the sight of that dark smile was enough to make Satsuki want to run away and fast.