108. Demands

680 Words

There was a restless bubbling in the pit of Satsuki's stomach as she headed to work on Monday morning. The day was warm and sunny as she walked from the train station towards the studio, but even that was not enough to bring a smile to her face. The uneasiness she felt was not solely because of the startling realisation following her date on Saturday. If she remembered right, Ken would be on the set today, and Satsuki was not sure how she could face him. She felt like she should talk to him about how she felt, but the mere thought felt difficult and awkward, she didn't know how to approach it, as inexperienced as she was, especially compared to him.

Still, the main reason behind her melancholia had absolutely nothing to do with Ken, and everything to do with the TV drama. This would be the very last week of filming. The thought felt surreal to her, it had not fully sunk in yet. Inuyasha had all but become her life during the past months, and it felt so unreal that it was all about to come to an end. And while she was mourning that loss, and wondering what she would do with her life once the drama was wrapped up, she couldn't help thinking about the future. Still, Satsuki felt confident from all the experience she had gained from being on Inuyasha, and she had discovered a true passion for acting, one that could not really be gained on acting classes. One that came from being on the set among the other actors, in costume, in front of the cameras, bringing the magic of the script to life. She was itching for a chance to put her new acting skills to test, to keep challenging herself, to keep exploring new roles and find new opportunities to become even better. She wanted to learn, she wanted to grow, both as an actress and as a woman.

That brought her back to Ken.

Satsuki sighed as she walked in through the doors and headed to her dressing room. She changed into Kagome's sailor uniform and patiently sat through the make-up. The limited number of days left in this project really brought on certain wistfulness; she almost regarded the green and white monstrosity with affection.

After she was ready, she joined Mitsuo and Izumi who were at the set, Mitsuo already in his costume and Izumi in casual clothes.

"We're doing a scene with Ken," Mitsuo told her as she stopped to stand next to them.

"Perfect," Satsuki sighed.

"Trouble in paradise?" Izumi teased good-naturedly.

"Maybe," Satsuki said. She looked at the script Mitsuo was holding and overviewed the scene one more time over his shoulder.

Soon enough they were both in front of the cameras together with Ken, shooting the scene in Inuyasha's and Sesshoumaru's father's tomb. While watching the guys fight, Satsuki stumbled and grabbed the sword hilt. Takahashi called cut and ok-ed the scene. The next scene started with Satsuki and Ken facing one another. She stared at him in the eyes and he stared back at her. A million things ran through her mind, ways to start that awkward conversation she needed to have, words that she wanted to tell him. She took a deep breath and braced herself, just taking the plunge into the unknown. She couldn't really concentrate on acting after she had got it off her chest.

Grabbing the long silver strands of his wig, she pulled his head down. She pressed her lips onto his, firmly and deliberately, despite the shyness she felt deep down inside. She kissed him, in front of everyone, ignoring the excited hoot from the background courtesy of Kouji.

When she pulled away, Ken was giving her his familiar smirk as his eyes searched hers.

"For what do I owe the pleasure?" he murmured.

"Stop walking on eggshells around me," she told him.

His smirk grew, and his eyes gained the familiar predatory glint.

"As you wish," he purred into her ear before leaning into another kiss.

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Chie: Just a little warning in advance: this story's almost over. Only few more drabbles to go!