A/N

I've decided that instead of trying to maintain a schedule I will just write when I have the time and motivation. I started this fanfiction on a whim, without thinking of the responsibilities that would come with writing for an audience.

Of course I will continue with this fic (I'm quite far from being done in fact), just in my own time, the only reason I'm typing this out is because I feel terrible for leaving all of you in the dark.

As always, all characters used in this fic belong to Rumiko Takahashi.

Chapter 5: True Colours

'BZZZT' …. 'BZZZZZZT' … . 'BZZZZZZT!'

An animalistic groan sounded from underneath the black and red comforter, silver hair spread across the bed, freed from it's restraining ponytail over a night of tossing and turning. "Alright, alright shut up already!" a single clawed hand reached under the pillow to grab the small cellular device, quickly yanking it back to the hand's body after disconnecting the charger. "What do you want." A thick eyebrow quirked upwards in annoyance. "Tsk tsk, I thought your mother taught you better Inuyasha, a proper hello would always be a nice thing to hear!" Miroku's sarcastic voice cut through to Inuyasha's sensitive ears, making him pull the phone a little ways away from his head. "Shut your trap, letch. What could you possibly need from me this early in the morning?" Inuyasha looked out the window to find it was still dark, the sun barely peaking out from behind the horizon.

"I need you to come pick me up."

"No way." And with that Inuyasha powered off his phone so he could resume sleeping. But he couldn't, just as he was about to close his eyes, he caught a whiff of the most heavenly smell to ever grace his nostrils, Kagome.

0…0…0

Kagome had woken up with a start, shaking and covered in a cold sweat. Oh how she hated the dream (or nightmare rather) that always seemed to come back. Another shiver crawled up her spine just thinking about 'it', the accident. This nightmare wasn't just some fictional dystopia comprised of her dreams, no, it was a memory from long ago.

"C'mon Daddy lets go!" a smaller Kagome shouted impatiently, yet happily, from the backseat of her fathers old station wagon. Her father, what a very handsome man he was, looked back at her from his brief conversation with her mother, Kaori, and smiled a warm smile that only he and Kagome could ever pull; one full of warmth and joy, one that made others feel just as happy as they did.

"Hold your horses munchkin, I'll be quick." He chuckled and gave Kagome's mother a passionate kiss, letting her know that Kagome was in good hands. Then he strolled over to the car and hopped into the driver's seat, giving his pregnant wife a loving look before pulling out of the driveway.

"Are you excited Kags? It's your big day." That goofy grin spread across his freckly cheeks. "I'm so ready! I've been preparing for this my whole life." Kagome put on her best game face but couldn't hold the expression for long as it melted into a cheerful smile. Today was the junior league softball tournament. Kagome had been training the whole year and she wasn't going to lose.

The smell of her father's cologne wafted into her face from the open window while they were cruising down a busy street, on route to the baseball diamond. Soon Kagome could see all her friends waving and smiling at her from a distance, gloves, and bats in hand. She nearly jumped out of her dad's car as soon as he pulled into the parking lot. "Easy there tiger!" He reached into the backseat just in time to reattach her seatbelt, effectively restraining Kagome until he could park properly.

0…0…0

The game was going off without a hitch, Kagome's team was in the lead and she was up to bat, readying her stance and taking a deep breath, the pitcher threw, and Kagome hit it, in fact, Kagome hit it so far it went out of bounds and onto the road.

"I'll get it!" Kagome shouted and took off before anyone could protest. Unfortunately, the ball had landed in the busy street, so she waited until she thought in was clear, running over to the ball and crouching to pick it up. Kagome had just gotten her hands around the ball when she heard a scream, one she'd sworn she would never want to hear again. The anguished cry of her father, barreling towards the street. But she couldn't hear what he was saying over the sound of the 40-ton semi truck coming at her from her left.

"KAGOME!"

The sound of her obnoxious fan brought her back to reality as quickly as she started focusing on the memory again. Kagome stood only to find that her legs had turned into gelatin just as her skin had turned into the outside of a soda can fresh out of the fridge. Once she finally regained her bearings, she walked over to Sango's room hoping to find comfort, but she'd only found an empty bed along with a note that read:

Dearest Kagome,

Do not fret my whereabouts, I've just gone for a jog, yes I have my bear mace and pocket knife; nobody is getting the best of me anytime soon

Lots of love,

Sango, your best and only friend

Kagome rolled her eyes; Sango had such a way with words. But the chill from the autumn air bit at her skin and she felt like being sick all over again. She was at a loss, Sango was one of the only people she knew at this campus but she was out for a run and Kagome was in desperate need of company. Though, there was someone else she could see but they might judge her for being nineteen and still having nightmares.

I can't believe I'm doing this! Kagome you're officially off your rocker.

A ragged looking Kagome clad in her oversized men's pyjama pants, Metallica t-shirt, bear slippers, and messy bun stood in front of the almighty Inuyasha's door, just across the hall from her own apartment. She really hated to do this to Inuyasha but right now she just needed to be around someone in order to rid herself of the invisible blood spatter and smell of engine smoke. She raised her fist to give the door a good knock but as soon as she drew it back to rethink, the door swung open violently; Giving way to a panic faced Inuyasha.

It took a moment for Kagome to process the fact that Inuyasha was actually there. Maybe she could still back out? Before she was able to make up some lame excuse as to why she was in front of his door in her pyjamas, Inuyasha began an onslaught of questions while poking and prodding around her body.

"Kagome are you okay?!" He began "I was falling asleep but then I smelled you from the door and you smell like fear! What's wrong? Is someone following you? Stalking you?" Inuyasha's demonic side rumbled unpleasantly at the thought of HIS Kagome being terrorized. "I- I'm alright, would you mind if I came in?" Kagome answered shakily, but for some reason she trusted Inuyasha, he made her organs flutter. "You can only come in if you tell me the truth Kagome, I know you're not fine." Inuyasha pointed out, it was obvious with how shaky and dishevelled Kagome looked.

"Okay okay, I will tell you inside." She mumbled. This seemed to appease Inuyasha as he stepped aside and ushered her in with his big hand resting on her back. He led her to the couch and sat down in the armchair directly across from it. "Okay, tell me what happened Kagome; This is a safe space, you can tell me anything." Inuyasha stated firmly, obviously, he wasn't giving this up. "I- um…. I had a nightmare…" Kagome spoke, embarrassed for how childish she sounded.

"A nightmare? I get those from time to time, what happened in it?" He related briefly.

"Um, it was a flashback o-of when my uh dad d-died." Kagome began choking up a little, by the look on Inuyasha's face he regretted opening his big mouth. "Oh..." was all he could say, he then moved to the kitchen and began making hot chocolate for Kagome; Inuyasha was never good with words, he always comes off as rude so he learned to show his true colours in other ways, such as actions.

As soon as he was done making the sickeningly sweet beverage, Inuyasha made his way back into the living room and handed the hot cocoa to Kagome who thanked him profusely and snuggled into the couch. Inuyasha then picked out his fuzziest blanket and his DVD copy of Kung Fu Panda to satisfy Kagome and his needs for the night. He sauntered into the living area, sporting a shit-eating grin and his items.

"What's that look for?" Kagome questioned nervously from the black leather sofa. "Nothin' your pretty little head needs to worry about." Came his gruff yet sweet remark, popping the DVD into his DVD player and flopping on the couch beside Kagome with a big 'WHUMF' almost making her hot chocolate spill everywhere. "HEY!" she half giggled. Inuyasha just stuck his tongue out mischievously and wrapped the blanket around both of them, pulling Kagome into his lap to appease his demonic side. Neither of them missed the small shock of their hands connecting or the way their hearts rapidly beat inside the cages that are called ribs (especially Inuyasha because he has dog ears you know?). Kagome shivered again, but this time it wasn't from the fear of her past, or the chill of cool autumn air, but a shiver that was reacting to the energy that had taken over the room; An energy that was full of hazy unadulterated heat. Her cheeks turned a pretty red colour when she realized that both her and *ahem* little Inuyasha were becoming more alert.

Deciding to break the tension, Kagome decided to speak, "Is this Kung Fu Panda?" She queried. "Just watch and find out." Inuyasha hushed her in a deep sensuous tone as the movie commenced. The rest of the movie was filled with quiet banter on how they both found Tigress attractive in their youth along with the undeniable warmth that radiated out of both their souls. Inuyasha Didn't even notice Kagome had dozed off at some point until the credits were rolling and Kagome was breathing slow, deep breaths.

Shuffling off the couch, Inuyasha took a moment to admire Kagome's sleeping face before blushing at his voyeurism and lifting her from the couch. He moved towards his bedroom, nudging the door open and shut with his foot and placing her on his giant king-sized mattress. She's so small and frail. He thought as she grabbed onto the comforter, pulling it up to her chin as the rolled onto her side. Inuyasha knew that he should sleep on the couch but the events of the night began to wear on him, deciding that he should just sleep in the bed, it was big enough that they wouldn't have to overlap limbs. He brushed a loose strand of raven hair from her face to her ear, leaning in, he was so close that he felt his breath bounce off of her nearly smooth skin; Taking a deep breath in, Inuyasha closed the space between them to lay a soft kiss on her forehead before laying down on the opposite side of the bed and falling asleep.

It'll be fine…