Les Yeux Bleu

Natsu no Hinagiku

Disclaimer: If I owned it, you'd be watching this, not reading it.


"Sakura is pretty powerful and she seems to know what she's doing," Shippou commented later. The three of them were up still, discussing what had transpired around the dinner table.

"I think that Kero knows more about us than we reckon," Kagome said thoughtfully, sipping hot chamomile tea. "He knew immediately that I was a priestess but I still haven't even used my holy powers yet. And he saw your magick. I'm betting a penny to a pound that he knows you're kitsune."

"I wouldn't put it past him. Did you know I met him when I was younger? That Clow Reed sorcerer had come on that flying lion, asking Sesshoumaru permission to leave his position as High Magician. He wanted to move to the continent. (( The continent in IY refers to China )) He will not recognize me, of course, since I was still a child then, but still." Shippou reflected, blowing on his own tea, a glazed look in his eye. "That Sakura's power is much like Clow Reed's own, both in level and ability. But she is a fledgling yet."

"I guess we should sleep on it," Kagome decided, swigging her tea down in large gulps. She washed the cup in the sink and put it on the rack to dry. "But one thing is sure- Naraku will come to her."

"And we'll have to kill him off again," Shippou muttered darkly.


"Bird, Cat and Fox?" Sakura wondered, as she, Kero and Yue walked home. Syaoran had already taken leave of them and left them to stew in their own ponderings. "Those aliases pretty much narrow it down to everybody."

"Not the Fox," Kero admitted, "That name has significance. Did you see the magick he used on the brat?"

"Kero," Sakura admonished, "I've told you time and time again not to call Syaoran a brat-"

"It was Kitsune magick." Yue cut in, tired of that argument-to-be already. Kero must have gotten that lecture four times a week. "It was basic though, as if Fox were hiding his true powers."

"Kitsune?" Sakura asked dumbfounded. Kero cleared it up for her.

"Fox Demon Magick, Illusory Magick." Kero told her, "Not often seen here anymore because of the Worlds' Split."'

"Okay, now I'm lost," Sakura declared, "What's the Worlds' Split? Demons? Huh?" If Sakura were on one of those cartoons she loved to watch on Saturday mornings, her eyes would have gone all swirly. Luckily, she was not (( Or is she? )) but she was still confused as hell.

"The world was split into three around four hundred years ago," Kero began, going over the story as briefly as he could, "So there were three... realms, for better lack of words. The Realm of Demons, The Realm of Humans and The Realm of the Dead. We have democracy in the world of humans, the realm of demons is governed by the four cardinal lords and the realm of the dead is ruled by King Enma- last I remember anyway- But if anyone crosses into Makai, the demon realm, from Ningenkai, the human realm, it immediately is to be handled by Reikai, the realm of the dead. And vice versa. The worlds are separated by a barrier and there are portals one can go through to get around."

"Oh," Sakura said, comprehending the situation, "So why is Fox roaming the Human Realm?" A shrug was her only answer.

"Now get in your room and go to sleep," Kero nudged her. She complied, climbing expertly into her window and changing before going to bed. Yue had flown off somewhere and Kero tucked himself into her drawer.


"You are out late," Yue stated mildly, glancing at Cat. She was swinging on the park swing. Creak. Creak. Creak. The swing's rusty chain could be heard swinging with effort.

"So are you," she pointed out in her lilting voice, "Normally, people don't come out this late."

"I am not a person," Yue told her indifferently. He flew down and sat down on the swing next to her. He did not bother to swing but the wind ruffled through his soft, white wings, and swung his creaky little swing. She stopped swinging to look at him.

"A human you are not," she observed, "but does someone care for you? Know you exist? Do you feel emotion? Do you love someone? Hate someone? Then you are a person. Magickal or not." He said nothing, but the words imprinted themselves into his mind. It was heartening, especially after not being seen as anything but a creature for so long. Yes, they feared Clow Reed, respected him, worshipped him. But he had always been seen as Clow Reed's creation, not Yue. Not even Yue the Moon Guardian. But this slip of a person could see past the magick and the wings. "You know," she said lightly, "Kero gave me his name, I know Sakura's name you never gave me yours."

"You never gave me yours either," Yue countered, but she smiled.

"Ah, but I gave you something to call me," she affirmed sagely with a nod of her head.

"Yue."

"Nice to meet you Yue," she beamed, "I think you have the nicest wings I've ever seen, and I've met lots of people with wings, trust me. From bat demons to angels." He could say nothing to this, being very unused to being complimented. The faintest of pink suffused his face, but Cat had not seen or decided not to embarrass him further.

"I think I should get going now," Cat sighed, "it's nearly dawn. Goodbye Yue." He watched her lope off into the trees and disappear before his eyes. He sighed and got up, flying to his house before changing into one Tsukishiro Yukito.


Kagome didn't really want to wake up the next morning. But she got up, dutiful as ever and got ready for school. She grimaced at her reflection's tired eyes and waited for Shippou at his front door with Souta in tow.

"You look like hell," Shippou told her, grinning. "Didn't sleep much, huh?"

"Thanks," she grumbled, "Hello Kagome, how are you today? Fine thank you. I say, you look pretty bad, are you okay? Yes, I'm fine. I just didn't sleep much last night." She carried on her own conversation and when she was done she pointedly ignored Shippou.

"I'm going to sleep through first period," Kagome decided, "Wake me up if the teacher asks me a question. It's history, so I'm not missing much. If I make it through successfully, maybe I'll forgive you."

Shippou rolled his eyes and laughed, "Don't worry, I will. You suck at being a good example too, by the way." She only grunted in response.

"Well, I'm going to my school now," Souta said quietly, taking his leave of them. Kagome nodded sluggishly and kept walking.

"Good Morning," Yukito said, meeting them on the school grounds. "Hey Kagome, all you alright? You look really pale."

"Thanks Yuki-kun, but it's nothing, just lack of sleep," Kagome replied, yawning slightly. Sitting down under a tree, she curled there, sleeping until the bell went.

"What's Kagome doing under the tree?" Touya asked, arriving on the school grounds a few minutes later. He had honestly thought of prodding her with his foot just to see if she was alive, when he thought better of it and came to ask first.

"She's tired," Shippou said mirthfully, "And so she's decided to sleep until 2nd period."

"2nd?" Touya's eyebrows rose at this, "How she going to manage to sleep through until 2nd?"

"She'll get up, go to class and then go back to sleep," Shippou said, obviously finding this amusing.

"Are you going to ask her when she wakes up then?" Touya asked, looking slyly at Yukito, who had the grace to blush a nice, rosy coral colour.

"Ask her what?" Shippou asked cluelessly, "Whatcha going to ask her Yukito?" He was curious now.

"Yukito here is going to ask her out," Touya said, smirking lightly, "Actually, this is the first time I've seen him take interest in anyone."

"I see," Shippou said, his jaw tightening slightly. Kagome did deserve to be happy after all, but then again... he'd have to be proven worthy. "Don't we have gym today?" Shippou inquired, making sure his voice didn't give away anything. Yukito nodded, not really noticing the sudden, abrupt change of conversation. The bell rang as Shippou began formulating his plot and he went to wake Kagome.


Kagome slept soundly through first period and was awoken with a poke by Shippou for gym. She yawned silently and gave Shippou a smile for watching her back. Then she got up and took her drawstring bag with her-it held her gym clothes. Scooping up her books with one hand and slinging the drawstring bag over her shoulder with her other, she set off to gym, with Shippou in tow.

"Kagome," Shippou started off seriously when they were out of earshot of everyone else at the end of the hall. "What do you think of Tsukishiro?"

"I think he's... nice, sweet, smart, calm..." Kagome began to list. "Actually, I think he reminds me a bit of Shuichi, minus the Youko and stuff."

"But do you like him?" Shippou persisted. Kagome furrowed her brow at him. What was up with him lately anyway?

"Of course. He's a really nice guy." Kagome told him truthfully. Shippou looked at her.

"You know what I mean," Shippou had the "I'm serious" expression on his face.

"I don't know," she said exasperatedly. "Just drop it," she added, noting the look on Shippou's face.

'I will drop it,' Shippou thought, slightly annoyed, 'but later today, you'll know why I asked. And don't you dare say "Why didn't you warn me."'.


Gym started off an odd affair. Firstly, the teacher decided that instead of the archery they'd been focusing on for the past few months, today they'd do a competition. 'Get the blood pumping and the tension out.' as the teacher dubbed it. Or, for any ordinary human- hell. The first course would be running. The track was a kilometre, so it was more of a sprinting contest than an endurance contest. The guys were up first and Kagome sat against a nearby fence to watch. Coach Kagami, the gym teacher blew the whistle and the guys began to run. Touya was in first, followed by Yukito and Shippou neck to neck. Soon Touya lagged behind as well, rather busy watching the spectacle of Yukito and Shippou. The trail of dust they kicked up was thick and disgusting but when they zoomed over the white line which symbolized the finish, it was clear that Shippou had won.

Kagome and the other females were up next, and they lined up along the starting point of the track. Coach blew her whistle and Kagome began to run. The rhythmic pattern of steps brought a joy to Kagome and she recalled trekking in the Feudal Era. She quickened her pace and felt a twinge of satisfaction when many other girls began to lag. She sprinted, her legs pumping as she cut through the air swiftly and smoothly and then she frowned, hearing footfalls that did not match her own. Someone was close behind her. She quickened her pace.

"Oh no you don't!" the girl behind her called out, and Kagome could practically hear the grin in her voice. It was Nakuru, who was gaining on her, her long braid swishing out behind her. Kagome turned her head to grin wolfishly at her and sped up the pace so much that the dust she kicked up was so thick that it could be cut and served with tea. Nakuru matched it. But Kagome loped on ahead, determined. The race was nearly finished, the line was barely three meters in front. The speed went higher. And then- Kagome and Nakuru tied for first, nobody actually able to tell who exactly crossed first.

"Catch your breath," the Coach barked, "and then we'll be moving on to archery tournaments next Gather into groups. Miss getting at least a red and you're out." By unspoken agreement, Touya, Nakuru, Kagome, Shippou and Yukito were all in one group, and Kagome picked out bows for them.

Nakuru dropped out of the tournament, and then Touya. Kagome and Yukito three bull's eyes, Shippou had two bull's eyes and one imbedded between red and and yellow (( Yellow is the colour of a bulls eye)). Once again, everyone else had dropped out and were watching the match in complete awe as Kagome split her arrow into dead centre and both males follow suit. Finally, Shippou struck a blue and got out, leaving only Kagome and Yukito. They were serious now, arrow imbedding themselves in arrows and skinning others. But Yukito aimed for one of the arrows in a bulls eye and it struck, but it did not sink in deeply and fell to the ground with a clatter.

"Kagome wins!" Coach shouted the obvious, "And now, the last contest. Sword play!" Kagome groaned. Swordsmanship was never one of her stronger points. She dropped out eventually, leaving Touya, Shippou and Yukito left. Yukito dropped out next, being disarmed with a clever thrust of Touya's wooden blade- there was a quick flick of the wrist and the sword fell to the ground. So the finals began, Shippou against Touya. They eyed each other warily, neither making the first move. Gritting his teeth in annoyance, Shippou made the first move when it became clear that the other man wouldn't budge. He twirled his bokken expertly and drew in for a thrust but Touya parried it with a vertical stroke. He tried to twist his blade so that it would send Shippou's blade spiraling through the air but Shippou withdrew his blade quickly to prevent it, and Touya took his opportunity. He brought the sword whistling through the air at an alarming rate, and held it parallel to his neck.

"I win," Touya said triumphantly.

"Ah, not quite. It's a draw Touya." Shippou tapped his own blade, which was tickling the base of Touya's throat. Both dropped their swords and shook hands and left the arena. Clapping and general hoots ensued as everyone congratulated them on their match. Coach broke it up in a minute though, telling them all to go get changed. They walked to their change rooms to shower and change back.


"Aah," Kagome said stretching, "One win, one loss, one tie. This was actually a good gym class." Her arms were raised skywards as she made an effort to loosen her cramped muscles. "Now I just have to deal with the rest of the day."

"Actually," Shippou told her, eyebrows arched, "You don't. It's a half day today so we're getting off after next period."

"..." Yukito waited to speak, "K-Kagome? Can I talk to you for a second?" Kagome nodded, non plussed, and they walked around the corner. Shippou watched, with hooded, slitted eyes. Technically Yukito had failed the general test of worthiness- he failed to beat Shippou in anything during gym, except maybe archery, but then he still lost to Kagome. By all rights, that took away his rights to "court" Kagome, but Shippou still had one test in mind. Nakuru, Touya and Shippou stood there patiently, waiting for Kagome and Yukito to return. Which they did, after two minutes. Kagome looked slightly glowy, as if she had been blushing and Yukito's face was a slight shade of pink as well. But they both looked content and, most importantly, the dead look in Kagome's eye was non-existant.

He passed.

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"Kagome," Yukito stood there, hands in his pocket, pacing and blushing. She looked cluelessly and reached out to grab his hand to still him. He did stop, but did not pull away. They stood standing like that, standing face to face, with his hands clutched in Kagome's slimmer ones. "I," he began, swallowing nervously, "I really like you," he began quickly, "I have since you moved here to Tomoeda. And I was wonder if you'd like to catch a movie sometime? Or maybe just hang out- just the two of us."

"Oh Yuki-kun," Kagome blushed, using her nickname for him at the moment. She wasn't quite sure what to say. She liked being with Yukito and he made her feel like a regular person again.

"I'd understand if you just want to be friends," he said miserably. She shook her head and held his hands tighter in hers. She tiptoed and kissed him lightly on the lips.

"No, I think I'd like the former," Kagome agreed softly. "Now let's go back to the others before they decide we got kidnapped." Yukito noticed with a blush that she hadn't let go of one of his hands.


"Since it's half day," Touya started once they walked out of school after third period, "let's go out somewhere."

"Ha," Nakuru smirked, "It can be a double date." She linked arms with Touya, and winked at Kagome, who flushed a soft rose colour.

"Hey," Shippou fake whined and pouted, "Are you guys just going to ditch me then?"

"Ne Shippou," Kagome remembered, "Didn't you have to see Sesshou today?" Shippou tapped lightly on his head, trying to remember if he did indeed have to see Sesshoumaru today. Today was...a Tuesday.. no, Wednesday. It was Mid September.. Oh damn.

"You're right, I totally forgot," Shippou paled, "Damn. That bastard's gonna have my head!" He was about to dash off when said person pulled up along side them in his sleek, black porsche.

"Damn right," Sesshoumaru said, but his monotone showed neither anger nor displeasure but his aura screamed annoyance. He continued on fluidly, "You were supposed to be at the main house yesterday evening. And Higurashi, I need you to come along too. To deal with... Kikyou." He finished with distaste, "Also, Jinenji's come to give your mother her medicine. We need to check up on her to make sure her... affliction hasn't reached a point where it is incurable."

"Hai," Kagome and Shippou said. Shippou opened the door and Kagome turned to Yukito, Touya and Nakuru with an apologetic smile.

"It's family business," she told them, rolling her eyes. She kissed Yukito lightly before turning and getting in the car. Shippou got in too and the door shut, leaving three bewildered teens.


"I saw that," Sesshoumaru said, glancing at Kagome from the rear view mirror. "Who's the boy? I'm glad to see you so happy after the Fox but-" he paused to glance again. Kagome's attention was focused on him and she was glaring slightly. "a regular human?" he finished lowly, causing Kagome to flinch slightly.

"Can't my life be normal again, Sesshou?" she asked sharply, and Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow at her.

"Apparently not, since you've continued your training," Sesshoumaru was looking in Kagome's direction again, but it was obvious that he was studying her aura. "I've heard of your nightly expeditions and you're power seems much more honed. Do you want to be a normal human, Ka-go-me?" he emphasized her name and she hated him for it. He was reminding her who she was and why she couldn't be normal in those three syllables.

"What does Kikyou need help with?" she wondered curiously, trying to change the topic. Sesshoumaru said nothing for the moment.

"She doesn't. Inuyasha does." Sesshoumaru told her, "But I told you it was Kikyou because of the company you were keeping. How do you think they'd react knowing you knew someone named Inuyasha? Especially in this little town. I can smell traces of magick everywhere. Speaking of magick, tell me what has been going on these past nights." And so Kagome told him about Sakura and the Clow Cards. "I remember Clow Reed," Sesshoumaru mused, "His power was amazing and none of his bloodline have followed suit. He left for the continent years before his death though. How did his cards make it back here? We're here by the way," he added. "I don't keep security around the premises because Kikyo, Inuyasha and their brood deal with that. A barrier and Patrol Team." He flipped open a cellphone and began to demand things and order others around. Kagome could have sworn she heard Inuyasha yelling back at him on the phone and she stifled a giggle.


Souta came home from school alone. He unlocked the door and let himself in. Touya, Sakura's older brother, told him that Kagome and Shippou left with a rich, dark haired man who sounded really austere and drove a black porsche. Souta figured that it was Sesshoumaru. So he came home and fixed himself up with some hot rice and cold meat from the night before. He was really, really bored. Since Kagome wasn't home, he took to his room and ate in there. The silence was annoying and Souta wished something would happen. Maybe he should just take a nap and-

He felt the familiar pulse of Sakura's power. But he also felt a new presence- it was dark and dangerous and very, very menacing. His heartbeat quickened and he ran to Kagome's room and pulled out her little blue book. He frantically searched up Sesshoumaru and grabbed the cordless phone. Dialing quickly he waited as it rang once, twice... and someone picked up.

"Hello?" he didn't wait. "Hello? Is this the residence of Sesshoumaru Nishi? Send the message to his guest Higurashi Kagome please!" He was yelling, "Tell her that she needs to come disguised to the park in Tomoeda as fast as she can. It's Souta. Hurry!" he hung up the phone and donned his costume. Tonight he took everything- his sword strapped to his waist, a bow and quiver in hand. Locking the door behind him, he ran as fast as he could to the park.

He could only hope he got there in time.


End Chapter