SO LET ME TAKE THIS TIME TO APOLOGIZE FOR THE CONFUSION!

I HAD NO IDEA THAT I HAD UPLOADED THE WRONG CHAPTER! I WENT ON A TRIP TO SPEND TIME WITH MY FAMILY THIS EASTER AND THOUGHT "Hey, why don't I double check on my stories?" AND I FELT SOOOOOOO HORRIBLE WHEN i REALIZED THAT THE CHAPTERS WERE WRONG!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ATTEMPTED TO BRING THIS TO MY ATTENTION BY FLOODING MY INBOX WITH MESSAGES "Wait, what happened?" and "Did I miss something?" I'M SO SORRY I DIDN'T REALIZE SOONER BUT I HAVE MADE FIXES! SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SORRY, EVERYONE!

Hello, and welcome to my first ever Blue Dragon story! I do have certain characteristics from the anime present (such as the shadows speaking) and you can expect to see more conversions! I do not own rights to Blue Dragon/Blue Shadow, but I do own this story and its plot! Enjoy!

Blue Dragon: Revelations

Sparks

A hand came down on a young man's shoulder, startling him awake. Jiro blinked rapidly as one of the assistants offered him a steaming mug. "What time is it?" His eyes widened when they said it was just past midnight and jumped to his feet, explaining that he would be back after sunup as he slipped on his coat and darted out the door. "I can't believe I fell asleep at the bench again!" He scolded himself as he slipped through the streets of slumbering Jibral, footsteps quick yet light. Worry began to fill Jiro as the familiar clinic came into view but found that it was dark and locked up. She might have reached home already but he was still going to try to make it up to her. There was a bakery not too far that she loved to stop at for breakfast but even it wouldn't be open for a couple hours. He made a quick stop at his own place, nestled just above the lab in one of the upper lofts, since it wouldn't be open for a few more hours.

The hot water trickled down his figure as he worked the shampoo into his ebony hair. The suds filling the steamy air with the smell of bergamot, blue sage, and lemon grass were calming to his senses and was one that Kluke recommended. He had to admit, she had good taste. Since he always showered in the morning and only saw her at night, it was nearly impossible for her to get the full affect of her choice. The assistants at the lab were always giving him compliments for it but their opinions paled in comparison to the one he wished to hear. Today, was his day off. Maybe he could take her to lunch after they caught up over breakfast. A smile lifted his lips at the thought as the water ceased flowing and he stepped out onto the tiled bathroom floor, glancing at his reflection as he entered the bedroom. He had taken a page out of Shu's book and had resolved himself to a routine that had paid off tremendously.

His once skinny and weak frame now had some build; toothpick arms and legs now were shapely and his once porcelain torso that was soft as playdough now had the ghosting of a two pack and a chest that was firm to the touch yet moved with fluid motion. Not the figure of a warrior of legend, but he wasn't the weak boy he once was. A swipe of the towel over his body and the floor, swinging it over the rack so it would dry with minimal wrinkling, he turned his attention to the closet. A slate gray v-neck tee, loose white and electric blue plaid patterned button up that he left open, khaki pants and his traditional black slip-ons were his choices for the day. With his new figure came a new sense of style, one that he had grown to appreciate more than what he used to wear. Checking the clock, he locked the apartment back up and slipped back out onto the streets as he placed his black framed spectacles on.

"Aren't you the early bird," the elderly woman greeted as he stepped up to the window, wiping her hands on the apron around her waist. "must be a special girl that you would come the second we open."

He chuckled, nodding his head slightly. "May I have an order of two strawberry and cream Danish buns, three whole wheat oatmeal muffins, and a blueberry with lemon glaze crêpe." She went straight to work, saying that it would be a few minutes, and suggested that he grabbed himself something to drink from her daughter. The girl took her grandmother's place, her golden hair gathered into a braid that crowned her as if she was royalty and sparkling violet orbs that matched her smile. He offered a smile in return as he placed an order for two cappuccino, one mocha with a hint of molasses and the other caramel with two spoons of sugar. Jiro turned his attention away from the window as she disappeared with a wink, his thoughts going out to his other friend. Where was Shu now?

"There you are, sugar." The woman reappeared with a box wrapped in emerald colored ribbons, placing the two steaming drinks next to it. She raised an eyebrow when the man before her didn't move for a few seonds. Reaching through the window, she lightly flicked his shoulder, snapping him from his internal world to join the rest of them in the real one. "Boy, you are as smitten as my kitten." The girl from before blushed profusely before hididng in the next room, earning a shake from the old woman. "Does she know how you feel about her?"

He sighed, collecting his order and leaving more than enough money on the sill. "I don't know how else to make it more obvious."

"Materialistic things can only say so much," she winked, collecting the fare. "perhaps what you need, young man, is to sweep her off her feet with an adventure."

Jiro paused, his eyes locking with her own momentarily before she turned away, then he continued on his way. Maybe she was right. He had showered Kluke with gifts, the pearl earrings not too long ago for example, but she had never been one to value objects. Mentally kicking himself, he slipped through the streets until he reached the one that lead directly to Kluke's house. He remembered when she had first moved to Jibral to help with the clinic and remembered how she had offered to sleep in the clinic so that she could stay closer to the patients. She was insitant on not needing anything too extravagant, but he and the clinic owner had other things in mind. Jiro had pulled a few favors with some of his clients and they had quickly built a state-of-the-art home that was later gifted to Kluke. He, however, wanted to remain anonymous since he was sure that if she knew that he had a hand in it she would have further refused the house.

"You've always had good intentions." Minotaur appeared behind him as they left city limits. "Females are especially tricky, Kluke is no exception."

"You've got that right," Jiro sighed, shaking his head. "and maybe I should take that old woman's advice."

The shadow fixed his wielder a knowing look before fixing his attention on the house that came into view. "Seems quiet. I'll hang back unless you need me." And disappeared.

He cast one last look at his ShadowWatch, the time flashing at just past two. Just as he was debating on whether or not to come back later, one of the upstairs room's lights turned on then off. Was it a signal for him to come in? Jiro hesitantly knocked and blinked as Phoenix responded through a telepathic link that he could enter. The smell of spices were so strong that he was temporarily overwhelmed, his eyes watering slighty as he briefly explored the downstairs after closing the front door. It was as he was reentering the main hallway that he caught sight of something under the glasstop coffee table: a wrench. His eyebrow rose as he deposited the food and drinks onto the wooden part and picked up the tool. "Didn't think she still had this."

"I didn't either," a voice came from behind him, causing him to shake his head and chuckle as he turned to the stairs. The smile he had waivered slightly when he spotted Shu standing at the bottom, his clothing damp. "but trust me when I say that she can still use it as good as she used to." Jiro stiffened as Shu threw one of his arms over his shoulders in a side embrace. "Good to see you!"

The scientist smiled, briefly returning the embrace before slipping from the other's grasp. Concern was beginning to fill him the longer he studied his friend. It was early in the morning, Shu was alone with Kluke in her own house, and his clothing was damp. This whole situation was beginning to feel a little too suspicious. "I see you made it back into town, it's good to see you." Jiro reinforced his smile. "Where's Kluke?"

Shu gestured for him to follow as he entered the kitchen, depositing two bowls into the kitchen sink while grabbing a container from one of the cabinets. "Upstairs. Did you know that she's been sick?"

Jiro's thoughts instantly shifted from being concerned about how familiar Shu was with the kitchen to the woman they shared affections for. He took the stairs two at a time and nearly blew the bedroom door off its hinges. Heat instantly flooded his face when she woke with a start and sat up, her nightgown falling low enough that a hint of cream colored flesh was visible. Jiro bowed his head, clearing his throat while waiting for her to adjust herself and only raised it when she called his name. He moved to sit on the bed next to her, relieved to see a shawl firmly wrapped around her shoulders and collected her hands in his. Her skin was paler than usual and there was a dull heat radiating from her that was almost masked by the fire burning in the fireplace. "Why didn't you tell me you were sick?"

Her head fell slightly, a sigh slipping from between her lips. First Shu and now Jiro were here under one roof. She knew how much they both cared for her, but she also knew how they felt about knowing how each other felt. The tension between the three was always strenuous, and she held most of it. She didn't ask for her heart to be torn between her two best friends! If only things were… different. Kluke raised her head, her hazel orbs meeting his brown. "I didn't want to worry you. I'm sorry, Jiro, I didn't want to distract you from your work."

"You're a distraction I welcome anytime," his hands tightened slightly around hers as he leaned forward and collected her in his arms. "I want you to tell me next time you don't feel good or something happens, okay?" Jiro felt her rest her head on his shoulder as one of arms slid around him in a brief embrace. The heat radiating from her body was growing and he could feel her trembling slightly. He lightly pressed the back of his hand against her damp forehead and shook his head when he found her fever was higher than he thought. "I'm going to call the clinic," he said, resting her back against the headboard. "you're going to stay right here and rest."

"But they need me."

"You are staying put." His sudden harsh tone caught her completely by surprise, her swimming vision clearing enough for her to see the stern expression on his face. Jiro cupped her face in his hands, placing a chaste kiss on her forehead. "You've helped a lot of people since you've come here, and every one of those patients would want you to take care of yourself." With one last smile, he stood and left the room.

Kluke could only blink in astonishment as the bedroom door swung closed. Did that just happen?! It had to have been the fever altering her perception. That's the only way to explain why Jiro was being so…straight forward all of a sudden. He was always so gentle with her and never raised his voice when talking to her, and yet he had just now. A different kind of heat bloomed in her cheeks as she recalled the almost definitive look in his eyes as he told her to stay where she was. Her attention shifted upward as a weight settled on the bed and offered a smile to the men who sat at her sides. Kluke's eyes widened as they each raised a hand and light began to pool in their palms like water. She had seen the spell, used the spell so many times that she instantly knew their intentions. "Don't waste your mana on me, I'll be fine in no time."

Shu shook his head. "When was the last time you were at full strength, physically and magically?"

"We don't think of it as wasting." Jiro's lips lifted briefly from the stern line they were in.

She sheepishly shrugged and placed a hand in each of their own. Upon contact, a cooling sensation crept up her arms and slowly began to spread throughout her being. It wasn't until the heat that had been plaguing her began to ebb that she realized just how bad she was. A gasp slipped from her lips as a sharp pain flared from within her chest then eased into bliss and the stubborn knot that had found its way into her left shoulder slowly unraveled as the cool sensations spread farther. "Okay, that's enough," she whispered as the mana reached her middle. "Jiro, Shu, I'm fine now." Jiro's expression became tight as she attempted to pull her hand away, Shu also tightening his hold on her hand. Why was she trying to pull away? Her movements froze as the magic penetrated her spine and a loud crack pierced the air, causing a cry to tear from her throat. They both ceased the mana in time to catch her as she slumped forward, each exchanging looks of concern as she cried softly for a few seconds. She explained that she had hurt herself at the clinic a while back while caring for a patient that was nearly three times her size. No one at the clinic knew magic and hers was always so low that she couldn't attempt fixing herself. "And I didn't say anything because you two don't have medical experience."

"And yet we fixed you as good as new," they chorused, rolling their eyes. "give us a little credit." Surprise filled their features as her arms wrapped around their necks and pink entered their cheeks as soft lips pressed against their temples in turn.

"I've missed you both," she smiled, pulling away and crossing her arms. "but I want you to get out of my room."