Pendulum

Chapter 1: The Past

Around Kagome, motes of fuchsia light floated around her as she traversed through the empty void of time. Constricted by grief and loss, Kagome's heart ached deeply for Inuyasha and her companions who she was forced to leave behind. The wish was made and to her regret, the feudal era was behind her. Against her will, Kagome found herself thrust into the future with no choice but to abandon the life she'd come to love.

At long last, Kagome's feet touched shadowed stone, and her palms found the aged wooden walls of the well. Beyond the sanctity the well-house, the busy traffic of honking cars and truck engines could be heard. The air was no longer clean and fresh but held the smell of gasoline, dust and was stale. With a sigh Kagome pressed her brow against the wood and a rattled breath passed through her lips.

"I'm home." she announced weakly to the emptiness surrounding her.

Looking up to the ceiling, Kagome found the resolve to get on with it. Without the Shikon Jewel she was stuck in her time for good, for better or for worse. With shaken hands, Kagome reached for the lip of the well to clambered out of it. Her legs barely swung over the well when strong hands pulled her into a strong chest. Startled, a gasp escaped her lips, her heart quickened, and already overwhelmed, her mind went into shock. Like a deer facing a hunter's gun, Kagome stood absolutely still as her brain embarked on a monumental task to glimpse understanding amidst her mounting confusion.

"I wasn't finished." breathed a warm timbre at her ear even as the arms holding her moved to hold her more securely.

Recognizing the voice and the silver strands of hair, with stiff movements Kagome turned her cheek. "Sess-Sesshomaru?" she stammered, unprepared for his lips which quickly moved to tenderly cover her own. Her thoughts blanked, her breathing halted, and of it's own will, her palm moved.

A loud slap echoed through the well house and whatever spell that entranced Sesshomaru was broken. With new eyes he assessed her with careful scrutiny and after a moment of hesitation, he released her from his embrace. "What's wrong with you?!" she demanded sharply, unable to calm the quiver in her voice. "Why– how, what?!" she stammered in a fluster.

Sesshomaru's brow twitched, his jaw locked and he became as still as stone. "From what era did you come from?" he inquired, his tone as cold and hard as the first day she met him.

"The feudal!" she answered sharply. "How are you here?"

"What was the last event to occur?" he pressed urgently.

"I–we just slayed Naraku and–" Kagome stopped when his eyes widened. Then in a flourish of fur and white silk, Sesshomaru moved to leave. "Hey, wait!" she called in frustration.

"I have miscalculated." he informed briefly, sparing her a chilled glare. "Forget all that has just transpired."

At the reminder of his startling actions, a heated blush stained her cheeks and her thoughts became entrapped in the memory of strong arms and warm lips. By the time she found the common sense to chase after him, to demand answers for his actions, Sesshomaru was gone.