What She Wanted

"Of course I'll be there. 7:30 right?" Kagome carefully balanced her cell between her shoulder and ear, "mmhhmm. I know. Dress sharp." She reached for a bottle of nail polish and began to paint her toe nails in quick sure strokes. "I know you do honey. Bye. I'll see you there."

Kagome snapped her phone shut, turned her attention to her nails and sighed. It wasn't that she was unhappy. She adored her boyfriend. He was sweet, attentive and caring. Everything any girl could ask for in a relationship, but perfection was boring and if there was anything she hated, it was being bored. But she couldn't complain. This was what she wanted, what she looked for in all potential boyfriends. When she found Hojo, she knew he was what she wanted. He loved her and he told her so. Often. Too often. He didn't even mind that she couldn't say it back. Like an adoring puppy, Hojo comforted Kagome and made her feel secure. He would never stray and never doubted his feelings.

Kagome knew she loved Hojo. She just didn't feel it. When she saw him her heart rate stayed the same, her eyes remained dull and a smile didn't steal across her face. Her body had always been bit slower than her mind.

Even though the earth didn't move when she saw him, Kagome was sure she loved Hojo. It was because she loved him that she was going to get off her bed and squeeze her sizable ass into a tiny black dress. She slipped off her bed and waltzed over to her vanity. Humming softly to herself, she began applying her foundation.

Two hours later Kagome found herself dressed to kill. A black satin dress wrapped her slender body in a sensual caress as her black hair cascaded around her shoulders. Ready to apply the final touch Kagome picked up her lipstick and she paused to look in her vanity mirror. A single tear slid down her cheek. Shocked Kagome lifted her red lacquered nails to her cheek. She gazed down at her wet finger in amazement.

"Not now, please not now," she whispered softly. The empty hole in her heart swelled and encompassed her as the tears continued to slide down her face. Sometimes when she was alone her memories would creep up on her and the desolation of heartbreak would destroy the defenses she had so carefully built around her heart. It took only the smallest reminder to set her off. He had always called her a vain peacock when she stopped to check herself out. She had always laughed it off, telling him she wanted to look her best for him. It was a shame her best wasn't enough. Suddenly her phone vibrated, knocking her out of her reverie.

"Hey, I'm leaving now." Kagome quickly wiped away her tears as she grabbed her bag and stood to leave.

"Kagome, I told you the party started at 7:30, it's already 7:20. There's no way you're going to make it on time."

"I know. I know. I just got distracted. Don't worry, I'll be there on time. Even if I have to break all the traffic laws to do it." Where were her keys? Damnit, she always left them in the same place. How was it that they always managed to move to a new place?

"Kags..." A plaintive note entered Hojos voice. That was new. He was always so forgiving.

"I'm going to make it. Just watch. Now if I'm gonna be on time I have to go now. Bye." Kagome rolled her eyes. This conversation was getting to be to long.

"I love you." Kagome paused. He always sounded so sure. There was never any doubt in his mind. It puzzled her, but it also warmed her. Hojo might not be the one, but he was safe and for Kagome, safe was enough.

"I know you do honey. Bye." Kagome cringed. It wasn't like her to avoid the issue. She should just say it. It shouldn't be that hard. She knew she loved him. Her head was there, maybe if she said it enough her heart would follow.

...

Kagome arrived at the gallery, a reckless grim plastered across her face. Good thing the police were a bit slow tonight. Whistling a cheery tune Kagome sauntered up to Hojo.

"Told you I'd be on time." Inordinately proud of herself Kagome stood there expectantly. Hojo just smiled indulgently and guided her to the entrance of the gallery. Kagome sighed, clearly she wasn't going to get the praise she deserved. Hojo never appreciated her talents. "So who're we seeing today anyway? Are there gonna be paintings of naked women? I love it when they try to pass nude chicks off as art."

"Kagome, this is an important client. I'm lucky I landed him. Please try to respect him. The nude female form is art. You just haven't learned to appreciate it." A smile played across Hojos lips. They had this conversation every time he took her to an art gallery.

"I always treat your clients with respect and since I'm not a lesbian you'll have to excuse my lack of appreciation for the female form. I'm a fan of the male form." Kagome grinned playfully as she her hand gave Hojos butt a quick squeeze.

"Kagome! Not here." Hojo looked around, "this is my work place." Kagome rolled her eyes.

"Don't take yourself so seriously. Oh look. Naked people."

"That's not my artist. Come this way."

Kagome pouted, Hojo never played along with her. The man needed to lighten up. She followed him into a dimly lit room filled with watercolors of sunsets. The pink, orange and purple hues blended beautifully. The paintings were breath taking.

" Hojo, I will have your babies if you buy me this painting," Kagome declared. He placed his hand on the small of her back and leaned in to brush his lips against the back of her neck. Ever so slowly his hand slid down south. A delighted smile danced across her lips, "feeling frisky are we?"

"Always. I'll buy all the artwork here for you if you'll bear my children."

Kagome froze. This was not her boyfriend.

"Miroku," growled a low feminine voice. "I thought we agreed that I'd let you back in the house if you stopped propositioning other women. Do you want to spend the rest of your life sleeping with the dogs?"

"But honey, she propositioned me," whined Miroku. The woman, apparently this mans girlfriend, glared daggers at Kagome.

"Hey, I was only propositioning my boyfriend," said Kagome as she lifted her hands in defense. Her eyes widened as the woman smacked the man upside his head. Oddly enough, the man continued to gaze at the woman with adoration.

"My love, my light, my darling. Your eyes outshine the stars and your lips put Aphrodite to shame," cooed the man. Kagome giggled softly at the spectacle before her. Miroku had sunk to his knees and held the womans hand in his.

"Is that so?," the woman asked skeptically. "And when did you see Aphrodite?"

"Every time I look at you," murmured Miroku.

"Oh really? So now I remind you of another woman?" The woman looked like she would explode in a moment. Kagome couldn't hold it in any longer and burst out laughing.

"My god, you two are like an old married couple," laughed Kagome. The couple paused for a moment. Apparently they had forgotten all about her.

"Actually we've only been married for a seven years and I'm really quite young," chimed Miroku.

"Um, hello. I'm Sango and this is my husband Miroku. This is my collection." The woman smiled uncertainty and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Your paintings are lovely." Kagome scanned the gallery and dragged Sango over to her favorite painting. "I love this one," she gushed. "The composition is brilliant and the color choice is...amazing. It's like I'm actually there."

"Oh, my. Thank you." Sango smiled, flustered. "I'd love to talk to you more, but I've got to see to the other guests. It was a pleasure to meet you." As Sango moved away Miroku moved in.

"Look, I'm sorry about earlier. Can we start over?" Miroku grinned, "My name is Miroku and you are?"

"Kagome. Next time you should skip the compliments and just kiss her. It works better."

"I think we're going to be very good friends."

...

"No no no no no. I think the female body totally art. It's like...sublime. Like, like God made man 2.0 only he added some gear and took some away. You know what I mean?" Slurred Miroku.

"Totally. It's like, it's like a rough draft. Like man was the rough draft and then there was woman." Kagome replied, equally smashed. "Oh god. Here comes my boyfriend. Quick hide the booze." Kagome hastily shoved the bottles of champagne under the bench they were sitting on. She popped some gum in her mouth as Miroku quickly sprayed her with some smelly man deodorant in an effort to disguise the smell of alcohol.

"Does this shit actually work?" Hissed Kagome as she was assaulted by the stench of Axe.

"Of course. Sango has yet to notice."

"She probably just turns a blind eye," muttered Kagome. As Hojo neared she straightened herself and smiled.

"There you are Kagome. You still haven't seen my clients work." He reached for her hand, but Kagome stood on her own and moved away from him.

"Right, of course. Well, just point me in the direction and I'll find it." Hojo looked at her as if she had grown a tail out of her head.

"Okay. It's right over there." Hojo pointed to an entrance of another room. Kagome silently thanked god for her sober appearance and prayed she would be able to walk straight. Now she just needed to avoid saying anything that would give her away. She carefully made her way over to the new room and did her best to walk straight.

Once inside Kagome made her way over to the first piece of art she could find and as she did her breath caught in her throat. Before her hung a massive mural. Slender nymphs danced across the canvas as they frolicked in a lush forest. Bears, deer and small brown bunnies followed the nymphs in their joyful dance. Kagome sighed. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

"Ah, yes. Not his best work. A bit out of character for him. Did it for a friends kid."

Kagomes smile faded slightly. Hojo didn't understand her. He was obliviously happy and so bland. They were nothing alike. Considering how hopelessly colorless he was his talent for finding the best artists around was astounding. Although his inability to appreciate the beauty of this particularly fantastic mural was beyond her.

"Kagome. I know we haven't been going out for a long time..." Hojos voice faded in to the background. Kagome frowned to herself. Hojo was what she wanted right? He was warm, caring and relatively handsome, but good god he was terrible in bed. He called to often and didn't laugh at her jokes. He was as exciting as a lump on a log. He always left the toilet seat up and he didn't hold her when they slept. He was shrimpy and spineless. Oh my god. Kagomes eyes widened.

"Will you marry me?"

"I hate you," she blurted out. It would seem alcohol acted as a veritaserum for her.

Hojo stared at Kagome stunned. "I-I thought you loved me. I know you never said it, but..."

"I'm sorry Hojo. I just...I have to go. I'm sorry." And with that Kagome fled. As she stumbled towards the exit she bumped into someone and quickly mumbled an apology.

...

Amber eyes stared in amazement as the apparition from his past stumbled past him. He opened his mouth to call her name but another man reached her before he could say anything. He frowned.

AN:

Hey guys,

For those of you that read my first story this one is going to have a different tone. It'll be a bit more dramatic. I only vaguely know where I'm going with this and it's my first chapter story so be patient with me. Please review. It gives me warm fuzzies and motivates me to write more.

Until next time,

TK