Pendulum

Chapter 2: Confusion and Cream

The shock of Sesshomaru's presence completely eclipsed the grief Kagome should've felt at the loss of her friends. That fact alone left her simmering with upset at his selfishness. It wasn't often that Kagome indulged in ice cream therapy, but considering the traumatic day she'd had, only a pint of Azuki Beans n' Cream would do.

"If Inuyasha's brother lived to this time, maybe Inuyasha has as well." her mother offered hopefully as she watched Kagome spoon another curl of the red tinted confection into her mouth.

"Maybe." Kagome considered, her tone lacking hope. "But even if that were true, Inuyasha would've found me already." If Inuyasha allowed Sesshomaru to greet her so, so... a frustrated snort of upset blew from her nose. Kagome didn't even have a name for what Sesshomaru did. Whatever it was, if Inuyasha was around, he never would've let that creep touch her.

"Maybe you could ask Sesshomaru." her mother suggested.

The very mention of his name caused Kagome to recoil, the ice cream turning sour in her mouth. "I don't want to talk to him." she declared adamantly. "He had no right! Seriously, who does he think he is?"

Pausing briefly, Mrs. Higurashi placed a finger to her lips. "Well, maybe you should ask him." she reinforced, taking on a lecturing tone that only a mother could have. "Kagome, evidently Sesshomaru believed that the two of you were in a relationship. From what you've told me of him, it doesn't sound like he'd take such an emotional risk if he wasn't sure that you felt the same."

Thinking on it, Kagome remembered Sesshomaru's line of questioning after she slapped him. Rather than be concerned that a lowly human such as herself dared to strike him, he was focused in what time she'd come from. In the past, he'd have killed her for such an offense, not admit fault and flee. "He said he 'miscalculated'." she quoted against the spoon held within her mouth.

"So maybe he knows something about the two of you that you don't." encouraged her mother.

A sigh of defeat blew from Kagome's lips and she dropped the spoon back into the near empty pint. "I don't know, even if I wanted to talk I wouldn't know how to find him." she reasoned. "When Sesshomaru doesn't want to be found, it's impossible to find him."

"Perhaps." her mother said thoughtfully, stirring her tea slowly. "But if he was as passionate as you described–"

"Mom!' Kagome protested, her cheeks heating at the memory. Thoughts of his smell and touch flitted quickly through her mind and were swiftly quelled by reason. Inuyasha was the one her heart ached for, not Sesshomaru. Kagome adored the gruff hanyou who'd been at her side through thick and thin and not the refined, arrogant, monster who tenderly held her and...

With great fervor, Kagome gobbled more ice cream until the sharp pain of brain freeze seized her thoughts. Reaching across the table, Kagome's mother gently patted her arm. "Easy there dear. All I'm saying is, a man in love isn't bound to the constraints of 'normal'. If he truly cares for you, he'll show himself when called."

Grumbling to herself, Kagome polished off the carton, contemplating her next step and knowing her answer.