Author's Note:

The last chapter for the past...next up...the future!

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 19: The Day When Time Bowed

Weeks turned into months and months into years. Rather than heal, time only proved to poison the wounds of Sesshomaru's abandonment. His selfish actions allowed Kagome no closure to the events on that one snowy night. Bitterness grew like thorny vines to strangle their deteriorated connection, but what was to be expected? In one fell swoop he stole her unknown son, Shippo and Kirara – destroying all bridges to her ties to the feudal era. In the wake of her loss life returned to normal, echoing the times before she'd ever set foot into the past.

At long last graduation arrived and her education complete but even that proved to be a hollow accomplishment. Where others thought of their plans for the future, Kagome could only think of the past and the hanyou she left behind. Sesshomaru's foul behavior only served to highlight the beauty of his brother and remind her of why she loved Inuyasha.

Inuyasha wouldn't have let anything come between them. He was the one who went after her when the jewel had trapped her in darkness for days. Whenever she was in trouble, he proved to be her rescuer. Inuyasha was her friend–no, more than that. Kagome truly loved him and echoed the sentiments of his heart. In every way he was made for her and she for him. The memory of his declaration brought her to the well and looking into its depths, her heart filled with longing. Kagome wanted nothing more than see Inuyasha again...

Seized with shock, Kagome's heart stilled, her body growing tense. Rather than stare into the empty darkness as she'd done so many times before, deep within the well cloud filled skies could be seen. It was at that moment Sesshomaru's words returned to her, things he'd spoken to her years ago.

"Kagome, you wield immense power in great ignorance. One day your desire to unite with Inuyasha will bend the fabric of space and time itself will submit to your desires simply because you wished it to do so."

All this time, Kagome believed that it had been the jewel that gave her the ability to traverse through time. However the jewel was no more but despite this, the well was open. In that moment, the how of it all was irrelevant. The swell of hope and love drowned all logic and Kagome knew what she needed to do.

"Kagome?" called Mrs. Higurashi as she found her daughter beside the well. Joining her daughter's side, she looked down into the open well.

"Mom...I– I think I..." the thought wouldn't finish. Overwhelmed with the hope to see Inuyasha once more, Kagome could hardly speak.

"Kagome, I understand." Mrs. Higurashi breathed. Hugging her daughter tightly she kissed Kagome's head. "I'll always be here if you need me."

"Thanks mom." she nodded, releasing the embrace to jump atop the well. With a hopeful breath Kagome let herself fall. Time slowed as she traveled through the eras until at long last her feet found solid ground.

A clawed hand reached down to her and upon taking it, Kagome was hoisted up. As Inuyasha's face filled her vision, Kagome's heart swelled with relief. This was how it was supposed to be, this was who was supposed to meet her at the well. Regardless of what Sesshomaru told her, Kagome knew in her heart that she was destined for Inuyasha and not for the cold daiyoukai of the past. Inuyasha was her future.

"Inuyasha, I am so sorry..." for everything, for doubting her love toward him, for betraying his heart for however brief it was. The events concerning his brother dimmed and looking into warm pools of gold Kagome knew his love to be true. "Were you waiting here for me?" she asked softly.

"Kagome..." he breathed before folding her into his embrace. "What have you been doing all this time?"

Glad his question was rhetorical, Kagome finally felt peace knowing that no longer did she need to contend with the Sesshomaru of the future and his heart for her. For her, time had literally reset bringing her to a place where she was no longer a person of relevancy to him. Finally, Kagome was free from whatever fate he claimed they would have.

It wasn't until later that spring did she see Sesshomaru again. At the sight of him, Kagome was proud that the anger and frustration that once brought her to hate him didn't resurface. The Sesshomaru of this time didn't consider himself her lover and was nothing more than a distant acquaintance.

"Big brother!" she called, if only to further cement his role within his life. Having spent so much time with him in her past, even from a distance Kagome could recognize the irritation in his quirked brow and downturned lip. "That's weird it looked like he was annoyed." she remarked innocently. Inuyasha's expression turned perturbed as he eyed her in exasperation. "Huh, you too?" she chimed..

"That just sounded really wrong, okay?" he answered bluntly, his expression sour.

Laughing lightly, Kagome hugged her basket to her chest and continued towards the village. At long last, life was how it was meant to be. The worries that once plagued her were no longer relevant and they didn't bother her anymore. Whatever life would bring, whatever changes that were destined to occur, Kagome knew all would be well simply because Inuyasha was at her side. With that in mind, Kagome found new courage to live for tomorrow without fear of whatever tomorrow would bring.