'BEEP BEEP BEEP'

There it was again. That annoying sound that would not let her keep her tired eyes closed any longer. The constant buzzing was enough to make her her caffeine deprived brain rattle so early in the morning. Bringing her head out from under her pillow, Kagome looked at the clock on her night stand table. It was six a.m. Moaning and groaning, she stretched her muscles and sat up in her big King sized bed. Crawling to the edge, she lowered her feet and searched for her hot pink kitten slippers that she adored so much. Slipping them on, she stood, making her way to the kitchen to begin her morning routine.

Her destination was her one true love, her coffee pot. Opening up the cabinet above her head, she pulled her favorite flavored vanilla coffee down from its perch and continued to go about making the liquid gold that would instantly satisfy her needs. To Kagome, coffee was more reliable than any man. Pouring the water in its container, she flipped the lid and pushed the magical button, allowing the warm substance to begin to fill the pot.

Leaving the kitchen, Kagome made her way to the bathroom, noticing along the way that she was in dire need of a day to make a trip to the laundry mat, but what would it matter anyways? She never had company, except the rare occasion that her mother or her brother stopped by the house. Her mother was still extremely busy with her younger brother Sota. The boy was amazing at sports and did very well in his classes. Being so busy with school activities and the shrine, they rarely had time to stop by.

Reaching inside her shower Kagome turned the knob letting the water flow, giving it time to heat up enough to her liking. Turning towards the sink she grabbed her toothbrush and glanced in the mirror. Stopping in her tracks she stared at the woman who stood before her. Her dark black hair had grown much longer, longer than she usually liked to keep it. Reaching the middle of her back, Kagome usually threw it up into a high ponytail, to keep it out of her way. She had also grown into her body, her curves filling out nicely over the years. She was thinner to, no longer carrying around the extra baby fat that she had once had. Looking into her reflection's face she noticed the chocolate colored orbs staring back at her. Those eyes, eyes that held so much fire and spunk at one point in her life, now seemed dull and lifeless. She no longer had the excitement and adventure in her life as she had once had so long ago.

For all she knew it could have been a dream. Inuyasha, Shippo, Sango, Miroku...she was no longer able to see the friends that she had grown to love so much. After the Jewel was destroyed, the well stopped working. Kagome often wondered what everyone was up to beyond the well. Sango and Miroku were probably parents to half a dozen children, Shippo is probably training, and Inuyasha...

Inuyasha still held a special place in the young woman's heart, but not as he once had. He was her first love, and he loved her as well. But the love he held for Kikyo was beyond anyting else. Being the Priestess's reincarnation, Kagome often just felt as if she was second best. A substitute for when his beloved was not around. When Kagome and Inuyasha had both come to terms with their situations, they decided to stay close friends and nothing more.

When she had realized the well had stopped working Kagome started the search for some of her friends that she new would still be alive in her own time. Being a full demon Shippo had hundreds of years left still to live. Although as much as she searched for the proof that it had all existed, nothing ever came up. So she gave up, just like that. With an aching heart Kagome looked for something else in life to keep her occupied.

After thoroughly brushing her teeth, Kagome stripped herself of her night clothes and stepped into the steaming hot shower. The sweltering heat of the water pounding onto her back was incredibly relaxing. Grabbing the bottle of her favorite shampoo, she began to lather up the black mop attached to her head.

Shampoo was one of Kagome's favorite things about this era, when she would travel through the well, five hundred years into the past, she didn't have the luxury of taking baths with her favorite smelling strawberry soaps. She was eternally grateful for such privileges in the present. After a good rinse, she stepped out of her shower, grabbing a towel she scurried to her bedroom, getting dressed, and followed the enticing smell to the kitchen. Grabbing the biggest cup of coffee she could manage she headed out of her apartment and headed downstairs to the shop.

Opening the door to the small store, she walked inside and placed her coffee on the counter that she normally worked at. Turning to her right, Kagome turned on her small radio, and began to hum along with the familiar tune coming from her speakers. At her left was a pile of books that needed to be put onto the shelves in the new releases section. Just a small amount of romantic fictions that she had acquired as of late. Taking out her price stickers, she began placing prices on each and every story.

At the young age of twenty two Kagome was extremely lucky to own her own book shop. Many thought that she was too inexperienced to do it on her own. Running it by herself was tough, but she managed it all on her own. It was small, but had books stacked everywhere. Rows of bookcases lined the walls, with a book in every crevice. Small seating areas in each corner, and tables for the studying students in the front of the store. She loved the old homey, cozy feeling of it.

She loved every bit of her small store, it had such a calming effect on her. If it wasn't for her father, she wouldn't have any of it. On Kagome's eighteenth birthday, her mother handed over a card with her father's handwriting upon it. The words inside told of an inheritance that she would come upon when she turned of age. There was also one for Sota. Their mother and father had saved what they could so that their two children had a good start on life. Kagome, deciding not to go to the University unlike her highschool friends, she decided to put the money towards tons of books and signing a lease to an old building at the edge of town.

Another alarm once again scared her out of her wandering mind. It was time for the store to open up. Walking to the door, she turned the lock and flipped the closed sign over to open. After doing so it wasn't a full ten minutes before one of her daily customers walked through her door.

"Good morning Miss Kagome! How are you this morning?" The old man walked to his favorite table, and set his coffee cup and his newspaper down as he went in search of the book he was currently reading up on.

"Oh about the same as yesterday Billy, how about yourself? Still fighting with Martha?", Kagome asked in return, still pricing her new books.

"Well, not anymore,but there is hope for today! It's still early, you never know what may happen." The old man sat down in his chair with a chuckle. Billy loved to piss off his wife, his reason being she was just too damn cute when she was angry. Being together for over fifty years proved that they were either crazy in love. Billy was ornery, and Martha laid back, the two just seemed to fit. They shared a love that Kagome could only hope and pray to one day have. Who was she kidding though? Who the hell could love her like that? When was the page going to turn in her love story?

Their conversation was cut short by a ringing telephone hanging on her back wall. Reaching over she picked it up and put it to her ear. "Good morning! You've reached the Cozy Corner, this is Kagome! How can I help you today?" She tried to put as much enthusiasm in her words as she could, but it was still just too early in the morning. Luckily a soft, familiar voice answered her back from the other end.

"Good morning Kagome."

"Oh hi mom, whats up?" Propping herself against the wall, Kagome began to twirl the phone cord around her finger.

"There's some things we need to talk about, could you come over for dinner tonight?"

"Sure thing mom, I'll come by after I close up the shop. Seven thirty sound good?"

"Sounds fine to me, I'll see you then."

"Alright see you later." And with that the conversation was over.

'I wonder what she wants to talk about…' Kagome thought to herself.