Chapter 1

It wasn't fair, and no matter how she looked at it the fact remained. Men in real life just weren't like men in the television shows, and it was depressing. After everything she had endured in the past, everything with Inuyasha and Kikyo, even Koga being possessive didn't change her mind. Kagome had tried when she'd discovered that the well had sealed, she had tried dating. But Hojo was a bore, and no other man had stood up to her expectations or hopes. She had become so used to nonstop fights, battles, danger, and adrenaline that the men of her era didn't compare. The only ones she'd found were fictional. So, she had become a recluse; pretty much doing nothing in her free time but reading fiction or watching TV.

Her new addiction was The Walking Dead. It was high action, and the walkers served as the near unstoppable danger that demons had been before. Now if only men like Daryl and Glenn existed. Kagome had instantly loved how Glenn's character was sweet, a little naïve early on, but sweet. Then in came Daryl Dixon and she thought her eyes would roll out of her head; he was the ruff gruff type she had always liked. Kagome also loved how the writers and directors had developed his personality over the course of the show. It was perfection. Even now, as she sat watching the beginning of the first season over again, Kagome couldn't help but compare his initial appearance with the more current Daryl.

"It's just not fair," she whined. It was pathetic that a twenty-four year old woman was infatuated with a fictional person. Though she knew she wasn't the only one, it still didn't make her feel any less silly.

"Just jump through the screen." She heard her little brother say behind her, to which she threw a pillow at him without looking away from her show. "What was that for?" he asked.

"Leave me and Daryl alone," she said.

"Freak!"

"Souta, I got two words for you…Scarlet Johansson!" she retorted.

"Touché!"

She heard him leave the living room grumbling before continuing to watch her show while smirking. Souta knew better than to interrupt her during her show time, considering that her job only allowed her one day a week to be lazy. After returning to her era she decided to finish her schooling, and had surprised everyone when she went to get her bachelor's degree as well. She was now a Department Manager for a large retail store. She had considered going for something with History, but she had then decided against it and went for a degree in business. Kagome didn't want an overly stressful career, even though her current one was pushing it, but she had wanted something ordinary. A complete break away from what her life had been previously, and she rather enjoyed her job. But, she did work six days a week. And, she still had to deal with calls on her day off. Though, it was nothing she couldn't handle.

Now, her eighteen-year-old brother lived with her away from the shrine, something that had relieved a lot of financial stress off their mother. Souta had recently started college himself while working a part time job; so, things were comfortable. Kagome made enough to sustain the apartment they shared and then some, but Souta pitched in for food and the like while still being able to save most of his checks. It was a good life for the both of them. Souta had wanted to keep an eye on his sister and she wanted company. Now, if only she could find a worthwhile boyfriend. It was the only thing she didn't have that Souta had, a love interest. There had been plenty of guys that asked her out, but none caught her interest. She had been spoiled, and she refused to settle for anything less than what she felt she deserved.

Pausing the show on Netflix, she leaned her head back on the couch and sighed. Kagome stared at the blue ceiling, lost in thought. She and Souta had agreed on the décor of the place, a deep royal blue adorned the ceiling, which was accentuated by the furniture and wall art. His room was done in greens, while hers was done in purples. The kitchen reflected the living room, though the walls were blue while the ceiling and trim were cream. She loved their home, but she was getting tired of feeling lonely when he wasn't home. Something was going to have to give soon, though she still refused to go out to clubs with her coworkers. Granted she had a blast when she did go, but she just hadn't felt like it recently. Standing and walking into the kitchen, she decided to make food and then she would resume her show. Just as she had popped a bowl of leftover chili in the microwave, her phone rang. Groaning, she reached into her pocket and pulled it out.

"This is Kagome," she said.

"Kags, thank God! I have a problem…" she heard one of her employees say. Rolling her eyes, Kagome cut her off.

"Leigha, the power button is on the side of the monitor."

"I know that NOW! Geez, I have ONE blonde moment…"

"Just one?" Kagome asked with a smirk, considering the girl was a complete ditz.

"Yes, now anyways! I have a problem, I said I could work tomorrow but I kinda need it off instead?"

"You called me for this? Why do you need off with such short notice?" Kagome asked. Hearing the microwave ding, she moved to stir her food then pop it back in for a few more minutes.

"Because I forgot that some friends of mine had wanted me to go to a concert with them…" Kagome could hear the hesitation in the young girl's voice. Reaching up, Kagome pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes.

"Leigha, I have two people on vacation, and one about to go on maternity leave. I really cannot let anyone take off tomorrow unless it's a life or death situation."

"But it IS life or death! It's a Panic at the Disco concert!" Leigha screeched into the phone, and Kagome had to move it away from her ear.

"Look, I'm sorry. But you know that for you to be able to take a day off for non emergency reasons that I need at least two weeks' notice. I'm going to have to deny your request," she said sternly.

"It's not fair!"

"Life's not fair, hun. Now, I'll see you in the morning. And don't think about calling in sick either, you tried that the last time and nearly got fired," Kagome replied.

"Fine," Leigha mumbled then the line went dead.

About that time the microwave sounded off. Kagome put her phone back in her pocket, and then grabbed her food and headed back to the living room. Such was her life now, dull phone spats with her underlings, and fantasizing about fictional men.

Oh how the strong fall, she thought ruefully, grabbing her Xbox remote and starting the show again.

~ooOoo~

Later that night, Kagome sat out on her bedroom balcony which overlooked the city in all its glory. She loved every second of it. Yeah, it wasn't the silent and peaceful feudal era, but it was still calming to her. She sat in her lounge chair with her feet up on the railing, with her head tilted back and staring up at what stars she could see. They weren't as bountiful as they had once been, but they were still a sight. Just as her eyes were about to close drowsily, she caught a flash of light out of the side of her eyes. She looked quickly, and saw a shooting star fade into the night. Suddenly a rush of childhood excitement ran through her, and she found herself closing her eyes and making a wish. It was something she used to do as a child, but hadn't done in years. She had grown out of a lot of her old habits since being subjected to the past, but for some reason she felt the need to now. After a few moments, she opened her eyes again. With a small smile, she stood and closed the door before crawling into her bed and quickly fell asleep.

The last thought she remembered having before sleep found her, was her wish and how absurd it had been.

I'm BACK! I've been editing some of my stories and getting them ready to be re-uploaded. I hope everyone likes the edited chapters and I'm planning to work on this and my other story "To Take Shelter" again. Enjoy!