Author's Note:

Woot! Finals are oh'vha! Back to writing! ;-)

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 10: A Sore Winner

At long last Kagome's report card was finally in and a copy of it now rested in Sesshomaru's hand. The soft chatter of the upscale noodle cafe faded as she anticipatedly watched Sesshomaru as he reviewed her marks. Their waiter came and Kagome ordered her lunch, her face puzzling when Sesshomaru ordered nothing.

"What you're not going to eat?" she asked, sipping her cherry cola through the clear bendy straw.

"I do not require human food." he announced absently as he meticulously reviewed each line and comment.

A frown of confusion turned her lips and her brow lifted. "Didn't you eat ice cream the last time?"

Though slight, Sesshomaru's lip lifted into what could just barely qualify as a smile. "Even this Sesshomaru can learn a 'new trick'" he answered reminiscently. Somehow Kagome figured that that was the punchline to a joke that only he knew. Placing the report card down, he looked to her with a subtle warmth that softened his refined features.

"You have fulfilled your part...barely. With that said, I will now fulfill mine." he began as he leaned forward, placing his chin casually atop his wrist, looking to her with intent. "Your intellect is what captured my attention." he informed. There was a fondness to his expression that Kagome wasn't prepared for; it was as if she were staring into a shallow pond that in actuality held the depths of the ocean. "You were the first human who actually appeared intelligent to this Sesshomaru. In speaking with you, it was evident you were learned beyond your years and held more knowledge than most human or youkai." His attention strayed briefly as another thought passed behind his eyes. "At the time, I came to resent Inuyasha; I could see that your intelligence was wasted on my dim-witted half-brother."

"So what then?" Kagome urged. "Did the past me or, er- future me actually like you? How could-or did, we ever become a thing?"

Casually, Sesshomaru looked beyond the window beside them, his gaze distant yet warm. "You would have never used the term 'like'." he informed quietly. "It would have insulted the–" Sesshomaru paused, gathering his words. "fervor of emotion that you held towards this Sesshomaru."

Kagome tensed, her limbs going stiff. "You don't mean..." her cheeks paled at his amused glance. "But how?! I'd never l-l-lo-lo–" She couldn't get the word out. "I'd never feel that way towards you!"

The way he looked at her– arrogant and knowing- was both infuriating and sickening. It was as if he didn't believe a word of her protests and instead found them laughable. In fact, Kagome could see the sparkle of humor in shining in his golden eyes. He was laughing at her. Considering that she was playing catch up to whatever relationship they had or–will have, Kagome felt trapped between now and a future that would one day claim her.

"I love Inuyasha!" she admitted boldly with earnest.

His attention strayed to the streets beyond the restaurant. "That you did." he agreed quietly.

"Then how did we–" she paused, motioning her pointer finger between them before shaking the idea from her head. "Are you sure you're not just making this all up?"

At her words, Sesshomaru's gaze turned sharp. "Be careful of your accusations woman. I have no reason to lie." he warned, his voice lowering.

"Alright, alright." she placated, dismissing his threat with a flippant wave of her hand. "Don't have a cow." The waiter arrived with her ramen and silence settled between them as Kagome ate. "No offense, you might be beautiful and all, but you're also a jerk." At the insult, Sesshomaru's brows knitted. "I'm just saying." she explained with a shrug. "You did a lot of crazy stuff in the feudal era. I don't see how anything could happen between us."

"You don't believe me?" he inquired with a raised brow.

"Well, no." Kagome admitted. "I mean, I wouldn't if you didn't show up and...er–" Kagome stalled, wanting to forget her abrupt, invasive introduction to the future Sesshomaru. "I don't–how? I mean–you're so...boring and violent and quiet and just...no." she reasoned. "You're not my type at all."

"Hn." he murmured, his attitude dismissive.

"I just don't get it." she repeated, placing her chopsticks down. "How did anything evolve between us?"

Quieting, Sesshomaru regarded her with a thoughtful expression before blinking slowly. "That is an explanation for another day."

"What? Oh come on!" she protested sitting up straight in her chair. "You can't do that!"

With a sniff of amusement, Sesshomaru lifted her report card in his hand. "If you so desire to glimpse what your future self knew of me, then you will complete your summer program with good marks."

"Wait–how did you know about that?" she asked, her face contorting with a frown.

Briefly, Sesshomaru studied her shift in emotion but rather than match her upset with the stoniness he was known for, his expression softened. "As I said, I know many things."

"That's not fair Sesshomaru." Kagome huffed. "You're blackmailing me."

"Hn." he remarked indifferently.

The waiter arrived with the check, placing it between them. Sesshomaru beat her to it eyeing her poisonously the moment her mouth opened to protest. That was the Sesshomaru she knew, dangerous, deadly and...generous? The last one didn't fit but considering they were disagreeing over the bill, it was the truth. Sesshomaru was actually being generous.

Wordlessly he paid for her meal and stood, offering her an open palm. The movement appeared natural, as if it were their custom– but it was a custom that only he knew and one Kagome wasn't quite comfortable with. It felt in some ways as if he were attempting to woo her, but her heart didn't, wouldn't–couldn't belong to him.

"I'm ok thank you." she announced, standing without help. As they walked to the door, Kagome nibbled on the edge of her thumb in thought. "I still don't get it. Somehow you made me fall in love with you. That's the only explanation." she mused. "I could never see myself falling for you on my own. You're just not my type."

Sesshomaru chivalrously opened the door for her allowing her to pass ahead of him. "Complete your summer program with excellent marks and I will reveal to you another glimpse of your future." he offered as he handed a valet his ticket.

"You're getting a kick out of all this aren't you?" she accused flatly. "You always did have a knack in taunting your opponents."

A sleek sports car painted in white rolled up to the restaurant. To her surprise, the valet placed the key in his palm. Sesshomaru cut her off before she could comment on his car. "Kagome," he started, stepping towards her, his tone like dusk. "Taunting denotes challenge, challenge denotes competition, and competition requires a victor. Kagome, I am the victor. I have won my prize yet time has denied me from taking claim even as said prize stands before me."

Mesmerized by the hypnotic rhythm of his timbre and words, the clawed hand that cradled her jaw went unchallenged. "I find no amusement in how time now taunts me with the shadow of what will one day be." Leaning forward to look her eye to eye, Sesshomaru held her surprised gaze with a hooded one of levity and importance. "To answer you more succinctly," His attention turned affectionately inspective as he committed her awed expression to memory. "-the answer Kagome, is no."

Then, Sesshomaru moved past her with long strides, entered his car, and left Kagome in a state of stupefied shock. The Sesshomaru from this time was not the Sesshomaru of the feudal era, and Kagome had little knowledge or wisdom in how to cope with this even as her cheek held the tingle of where his fingers had held her.