Author's Note:

Thanks all for reading and commenting! Sorry for the delay in posting. After weeks to thoroughly reassess the narrative, its pacing and direction, I made what adjustments I could without sacrificing the overall story attempting to be told. Forgive me if the pacing seems slow, there's a lot of foundational elements to establish in order to setup events in the future (literally "Pendulum: The Future"). I tried to cut this chapter to get to the juicer SessKag bits (spent weeks trying to write around it), but as it was essential in laying the groundwork for major plot elements to come, I found it unavoidable. Thank you all for your incredible patience with this story and for accompanying me on this journey which is Pendulum.

With Thanks,
TWoD

Disclaimer: Be warned, since I haven't followed the series closely in years or seen the Final Act, I'm pretty sure some things won't fit into cannon.

Pendulum : The Past
Chapter 7: School Days

That day, Kagome found it terribly difficult to concentrate on her classwork given her eventful morning. Seeing Shippo and Kirara eased the trauma of her abrupt departure from the feudal era. Like Sesshomaru, they were like a tether to her former life. Visions of simpler times enticingly played within her mind, her heart drifting to the striking image the red haori clad hanyou as he smiled confidently to her with the setting sun at his back. Inuyasha approached, reaching a clawed hand out to her cheek only to–

"Ms. Higurashi, the answer?" repeated her math teacher as he impatiently tapped the equation scrawled on the chalkboard. Alarmed, Kagome sat up straight in her seat and her focus moved away from fantasies and onto fractions.

"I-uh..." she stammered, struggling to make sense of the problem. Minutes dragged on along with Kagome's troubles to find the correct answer.

"You don't know, do you?" he asked pointedly, his words bringing the silver haired daiyoukai to mind. With an air of defeat and reddened cheeks, Kagome hung her head in embarrassment. "Kagome, see me after school." he sighed disappointingly before moving to the next student.

Kagome didn't know which was more mortifying, not knowing the answer or knowing that Sesshomaru was right. The taunting image of the daiyoukai's arrogant sneer haunted her thoughts throughout the day, accompanied with the growing fear that he'd somehow find out about her slip in academic performance.

Time passed like honey dripping in January, each second dragging her closer to the doom that was her meeting with her math teacher. Following the dismissal bell, Kagome found Mr. Tanaka at his desk grading papers his thick glasses slipping down his nose only to be shoved back up by a finger. His exiting students hastily moved past her, eager to take hold of their freedom and escape the confines of school.

Clearing her throat, Kagome approached. "Uh-hi Mr. Tanaka, you wanted to see me?"

Glancing at her from above the rim of his glasses, he gestured a chair placed closest to his desk. "Kagome take a seat." he offered politely. Nervously Kagome did so, feeling apprehensive in the scolding she knew she was going to get. Setting his pen down, Mr. Tanaka turned to face her with his full attention. "Kagome, is everything alright?" he asked with warmth and concern. "You've been really sick and I wanted to make sure you're okay."

Just how far had her grandfather's stories gone? Sheepishly, Kagome nodded with a half-hearted smile. "Yeah! Of course! I'm healthy as a horse." he explained, patting her chest as emphasis. "No symptoms in sight."

"I'm glad to hear it." he said with genuine relief before a wry grin twisted his lips. "Unfortunately, I can't say the same about your classwork. I'll be frank, Kagome your grades are slipping and apparently math isn't the only subject that's suffering."

"Oh. Right." Kagome acknowledged, her shoulders sinking, not liking the direction of the conversation in the least bit.

"By the skin of your teeth you'll advance to your sophomore year but the other teachers and I are concerned that you're not totally prepared to start the new year. " he explained.

"Oh."

"I know you're a good student and I know you can do good work when you apply yourself. The other teachers and I agree on that which is why I'm submitting a recommendation for a scholarship to Shiro Academy's summer program."

"Summer school?" she repeated her sense of foreboding doubling. Kagome seriously needed a break, wasn't saving the world cause enough for a vacation? Not even a week had passed since she helped destroy one of the greatest evils imaginable and rather than live a happily-ever-after, she was slapped with an all expense paid trip to summer school.

"It's a great opportunity to learn and grow. It's not summer school in the traditional sense, rather, it's a program that will help prepare you to get an edge over your peers in the new school year. Usually the academy is reserved for the region's best and brightest but, I'm confident that you'll do just fine."

"Uh, thanks Mr. Tanaka." she expressed with false cheer. Seriously, no matter which way you dressed it, prestige or no– it was still summer school.

"Your guidance counselor will call your family and let them know of our recommendation."

"Yes Mr. Tanaka." she mumbled sulkily.

"Cheer up." he chuckled, "Shiro is a great program. Some of your peers here are enrolled to go to. It'll be great."

Kagome could hardly ascribe the term 'great' to a summer wasted. So much for daily beach days and long vacations. "Thanks." she sighed moving to stand. "I'll let my mom know." After a respectful bow, Kagome left the classroom, dragging her feet to the front of the building only to find a familiar person waiting for her.

"What's eatin' you?" asked Shippo where he reclined against the concrete stairs.

"Shippo?" she asked, cocking her head to the side to eye him curiously. "How long were you waiting here?"

"Not long." he answered reaching beside him to procure a bag of chips from an actual duffle bag. "Catch."

Fumbling, Kagome caught the bag saw the brand and snorted a laugh. It was the exact same flavor that she used to bring him when she went back in time. "Of course you'd have these." she chuckled fondly.

"Some things just stand the test of time." he grinned as he stood, slinging his bag over his shoulder. Kirara who'd been resting atop his head, bounced onto her shoulder and nuzzled her cheek.

"I thought you weren't supposed to be talking to me." Kagome reminded gently after lovingly scratching behind Kirara's ear.

"I won't tell if you won't tell." he offered with a sly smile of mischief. The sight of it warmed Kagome's heart and she affectionately bumped her shoulder into his, grateful for his friendship. "You still didn't answer my question." he reminded as they strolled away from the school.

A resigned sigh sounded at her lips. "My math teacher, or– all my teachers apparently want me to go to summer school."

"Yeesh." he grimaced. "Really? That's no fun."

"My grades are slipping and they're afraid it might affect my grades next year." she explained as they walked away from her school.

"In that case I think you should do it." he encouraged without missing a beat. "I mean, what's the worse that could happen? You getting smart?"

"I'm already smart." she huffed. "I just haven't been here to study properly."

"Then if you're already smart this should be no big deal." he countered, pinning her argument with sound logic. "Just do the program and breeze through it."

"I guess..."

"That's not convincing."

"I mean–I just... I really needed a break."

"It's sounds like what you need is some motivation." he observed with a troublesome smirk.

"What?"

To her horror, Shippo's phone appeared in his hand and by the time she had the mind to stop him, a number was dialed and the call was answered.

"Hey Big-Bro."

"Oh no..." Kagome groaned, her limbs numbing with trepidation. If Sesshomaru found out about her grades it could risk their deal as a whole. She'd never get the information she wanted!

"So I'm with Kagome–"

"Shippo shut up!" she groaned, as she reached for the phone, the bag of chips falling from her hands forgotten.

The nimble kitsune deftly caught the plummeting snack and with a palm over the receiver and an elbow to hold her at bay, he grinned mischievously. "Turnabout is fair play Kagome." he taunted, drawing attention to their reversed roles. Kagome fumed at his behavior. Certainly this wasn't anything that she taught him.

"Yeah I get it." he continued, answering some inquiry of Sesshomaru. "But it's kind of pointless now ya'know? ...Yeah sure. Anyway, I called because your little miko–"

"Shippo I'll do it!" she snapped in a huff. "Geez. It's not that big of a deal."

"What really? Awesome!" he exclaimed, revealing gums and fangs in a victorious grin. "What? No it's nothing. Apparently Kagome's so smart that she got accepted into some prestigious summer program" At Kagome's breath of relief, Shippo gave her an encouraging wink. So Sesshomaru wouldn't find out about her grades after all. That was a huge relief.

"Uh–yeah, Shiro Academy. How'd you know?"

Sesshomaru knew? At the very notion of his insight into her grades and acceptance, Kagome went still. How did Sesshomaru know?

"Right, right. Sorry for asking. Anyway she's going–right... Man, nothing surprises you does it?" he asked flatly. Suddenly the fur at his tail bristled with tension. "Sorry, sorry– uh...sure. Wait–all of it? Seriously?" a sigh heaved from his lips as an unseen weight crushed his shoulders. "Fine. I'll finish it and get it to you tonight. Okay. Bye."

With a click Shippo hung up the phone his expression discouraged and grim.

"What did he say?" Kagome asked.

"That guy...he's always moves ahead of everyone." Shippo sighed. "He already knew about the offer and he expected you to take it."

"How?"

"Don't ask me." he shrugged. "He's the same mystery that you knew from the past."

"So why are you so put out?"

"Because now I've gotta go finish up a mountain of work before the night is up." grumbled. "That guy..."

"Well, you shouldn't have tried to use him to blackmail me." she reproved. "That wasn't nice."

"What? Using him to help you get smarter?" he asked with easy amusement. "Excuse me but I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Friends don't let friends stay stupid." Warmed by his sentiment, Kagome bumped his shoulder with hers before continuing her walk home. Shippo fell into step beside her. "How was your day besides the summer school thing?" he asked, returning the discarded bag of chips to her.

"Typical." she shrugged. "Though, now I'm the talk of the school after everyone saw you drop me off. They think I'm some kind of delinquent dating an older guy who rides a motorcycle."

At that, Shippo snickered. "That's funny. You're quite the catch, too bad Sesshomaru already claimed you. If he didn't, I'd be tempted to snatch you up."

"Shippo." Kagome chided with a crinkled nose. "That's just weird."

Thinking on it, he tapped a clawed finger to his lips. "I guess you're right. Usually us youkai are the ones to see you humans grow up, not the other way around. But it's not like it's unheard of, age difference will always be a thing. I mean there once was the great dog youkai who got with a human girl. They had a kid, but, you wouldn't have known em'. It happened a long time ago, like hundreds of years ago. Guy by the name Inuyasha?"

"Haha." Kagome said flatly. Shippo merely grinned knowingly.

"Anyway you're in luck, this handsome fox is already spoken for. Besides, crossing Big-Bro to get you is suicide. "

Taking interest, Kagome faced him with excitement. "Wait you like someone?" she asked inquisitively. "Do I know her?"

"Uh, nah." he answered sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.

"Can I meet her?"

A look of consternation contorted his face and Shippo's attention looked heavenward. "Uh, eventually I guess, she's uh–traveling at the moment."

"What's with that look?"

"Well, it's uh– complicated."

"More secrets. That's it, isn't it?"

"H-hey wait, it's not a secret." he corrected. "It's, well..."

"Complicated?" Kagome offered, her frustration sobering. A soft blush tinged his cheeks and with a soft nod he signaled his agreement. Whoever this girl was had Shippo tied up in knots.

A sigh heaved his shoulders. "Yeah. Really complicated."

"And you can't tell me?"

"I–no." he answered. "I would, but it's kind of a thing. Big-bro is involved and–"

"Sesshomaru's involved with this girl?" Kagome asked leaning closer to view the expression that his bangs tried to hide.

"Yeah, but not like that–uh...it's just complicated." he answered softly.

An awkward silence enveloped them and Kagome could practically see Shippo's mental struggle to keep quiet. While she was immensely curious, Kagome got the sense that if he told her the whole thing that it'd really piss Sesshomaru off. There couldn't be any other reason as to why Shippo wouldn't trust her with the truth of the matter.

"Well, do you have a story you could tell about it?" she asked lightly, remembering the hand drawn story of cats and dogs he'd made for Kaede when she and Inuyasha were fighting. Judging by the fond warmth brightening Shippo's cheeks, he remembered it as well.

"You sure?. It's kinda long."

"Why not? It's about this girl right?"

"Yeah. It is."

"Well then let's hear it!" she encouraged.

"Okay. Hold on let me think..." Shippo went quiet in thought as he gathered his words. Then, with eyes sparkling with success, he looked to her with excitement. "So there once was this awesome hero and a beautiful princess. They went on an adventure together to find a magic scepter. It took them like, forever, but they found it.'

"The scepter was real special and made the princess into a queen. Her crowning ceremony was really something and she was the talk of the kingdom. Like no one expected it, but when it happened everyone agreed that it was a good thing. After the ceremony there the whole kingdom was happy and all was well for over a hundred years. The queen had a powerful dog and it became the hero's best friend. Together they protected the lands and the queen's rule. Both the hero and the dog loved the queen and did just about anything for her.'

Shippo paused, his tone and expression sobering. After a foreboding swallow, he continued, his countenance less animated "Unfortunately there's no such thing as happily ever after. As time went on, the hero realized that the scepter was making the queen very sick." The light in his eyes dimmed as he spoke. "It was like a frog in a pot warming to boil, we didn't realize what was happening until it was too late. Her illness just tainted everything about her... her mind was slipping and by the time we realized she was off, there was nothing we could do to stop it."

Realizing that he was deviating from his story, Shippo blinked rapidly, his attention refocusing. "Well, the kingdom suffered but the dog was still loyal despite the queen's sickness. Eventually, out of the damaged queen, a savage monster was born. On the same night the monster formed it murdered the queen. The kingdom went into a panic, no one knew what to do. It was a real mess. When the queen died, so did the monster."

A heavy sigh passed through Shippo's lips and he paused briefly, his fingers moving to thread themselves within his bangs. 'The dog...it went mad. The hero tried to calm it, but nothing worked. Understandably, it could only see red. With the monster dead, the dog didn't know where to stick the blame for the queen's death. In it's confusion it didn't blame the scepter or the sickness– the things that really caused this mess. Instead, the dog turned its wrath to the air and attacked it wildly, chasing the wind in a meaningless effort for revenge."

"For a long time the hero blamed himself. I mean, if he hadn't helped the queen find the scepter in the first place, none of this would've happened." he declared, his tone wavering with a swell of regret. The hands at his side balled into fists and his pace slowed to a stop.

"Shippo..." Kagome breathed.

"Whatever. It's okay." he informed falsely, wiping his eyes with his thumb. "An old sage gave the hero some advice and with it, the hero stopped blaming himself... most of the time. So the dog wants revenge, the queen's gone, a seer gave a prophecy that it'd all work out, the sage offered some more wisdom and the hero was left to protect the treasures of the kingdom." Shippo finished hastily, taking a rattled breath in search of composure. "And that's the story of my girl."

Not knowing what to say, Kagome stepped forward and simply hugged him. At first Shippo proved tense, resistant against comfort, However after a minute, his tension melted and he returned the embrace. "Thanks Kagome."

"It's not over yet, is it?"

"Is anything ever really over?" he questioned, his tone tired. In that moment Kagome saw of the centuries of wisdom behind Shippo's weighted emerald gaze. "Human problems take decades to fix, youkai problems? Centuries."

"I...I don't get all of it, but I can get that you're the hero."

A heavy chuckle sounded in his chest. "I'm always the hero Kagome.I thought you knew that by now?"

"I'm sorry Shippo. I don't know where I fit into all of that, but I'm sorry that all this happened to you."

"Thanks Kagome." he breathed, holding her tightly, resting his chin atop her crown briefly. "Come on, let's get you home."

They walked the rest of the way to her home in silence, allowing Kagome to process his account. Kagome couldn't figure out if this was something that would happen in the future or something that already happened in the past. Trying to decipher the who's and what's of it all was even more confusing. As the hero's companion, the dog would most definitely be Sesshomaru, but then who was the queen? Was she Shippo's lover? What of the monster that the queen made? All of it proved nonsensical and Kagome got the sense that Shippo had spoken such a twisted riddle purposefully to respect Sesshomaru's wishes to keep her in the dark about his past.

After waving the kitsune off, Kagome climbed the stairs that led to her home with Kirara in tow. The fire cat simply refused to leave her side. Mercifully, she had the house to herself and after nabbing some much needed mochi from the freezer, Kagome collapsed atop her bed to stare unseeingly at the ceiling wondering why things couldn't be simple. Sifting through her backpack, Kagome retrieved her homework and set herself to studying. At the very least if she aced her quiz, she could get some insight onto what everyone was so hush hush about.