Disclaimer: I do NOT own Persona 3.

Chapter One: Burn My Dread

The sound of a voice, the fire of a gun, this is how the dream always started. It was unclear what it meant, but every time he awoke in a state of terror. He could never shake a feeling of sadness that imprisoned him afterwards. He didn't dream it every night, but at least once a week. For some reason he was having trouble concentrating. What day was it? He felt like going back to sleep.

"Burn My Dread

I was running from a God of fear who chained me to despair"

It took him a few second so realize his cell phone was ringing.(1) He answered it.

"Hello?" He asked.

"Are you even getting up? Seriously, Minato, let's try to get to school on time on the first day!" Yukari Takeba yelled over the phone. He felt like an idiot.

"S- sorry. I, um, I'm coming!" He hung up as soon as he finished the sentence.

Once he got to school, he looked at the roster. Takeba, Yukari, Iori, Junpei, and Arisato Minato were all in the same class. He chuckled to himself. It was exactly like last year. Smiling, he walked to class. He passed many familiar faces, though they were all rushing, some managed to wave to him. School always dragged forever, but it was the first day. Despite that truth, he just wanted to be home. The school made him feel uncomfortable for some reason.

Yukari approached him after school.

"Minato-kun! That was so rude this morning!" She yelled. He shrugged.

"Sorry. I was in a hurry." He told her. A familiar voice called to them. They turned to see Junpei running to them.

"Guys! Is it true?" He asked when he reached them. Yukari looked confused.

"What?" She asked.

"That you and Minato are really together this year. Is it true?" He still pried like a six-year-old. She was blushing.

"Wh-who told you that!?" She asked nervously. Junpei shrugged.

"Some girl from the dorm. Fuuka Yamagishi or something. She said she saw you guys." He replied. She blushed again.

"All that blushing must mean it's true!" He started. He smirked, then continued. "So, gimme the details! Is it still small, or really intimate?" He continued to pry.

"Knock it off Stupei!" She yelled. He and Junpei continued to bicker, Minato smiled. He always loved to spend time with them. Their immaturity was enough to make him laugh. A strange sound drifted to him. It almost sounded like speech. He stopped completely. He even held his breath.

Minato Arisato . . .

"What?" He whispered. It repeated his name. He started to feel anxious. A sick feeling ran through him.

"Minato?" Junpei asked, pulling him out of the daydream. He blinked a couple times.

"Did you hear anything?" He asked.

"No, why?" Yukari replied. A shiver went down his spine.

"No reason. I, um, don't feel good. I'm going to bed early." He said.

"Are you okay?" Yukari asked. He simply nodded and walked away.

On the way home, he felt something watching him. He stopped and held his breath. He didn't hear anything. Eventually the feeling faded and he moved on.

That night he had a dream. He dreamed of a huge maze, or something like it. There were monsters inside, and people too. They were fighting. It honestly didn't make since. That morning, when he awoke, it was already almost time for school. He decided to hurry and get ready so Yukari wouldn't yell again.

Yukari sighed. She was on her way back from the Archery Club. It was late, already getting dark. The Iwatodi Station was deserted at this hour. Stupid Junpei. He was bothering her about Minato. It wasn't anything serious. They went on a few dates, so what? Because of her mother's 'habits', she refused to let any men get close to her. But with him, it was different. Maybe she actually . . . It couldn't be love, could it? Echoing footsteps brought her back to reality. It wasn't normal for anyone to be here now, even she was running late. She started to quicken her pace. The footsteps stopped. She could hear someone breathing heavily. It sounded like it was a boy, this just made her more nervous. She turned around. They were wearing a uniform from her school. It was dark so she couldn't see them perfectly. They were facing the other way. 'That hair . . . It looks like Minato?' She thought. She took a few steps closer. 'Minato' had his hands on his head, almost like he was in pain.

"Minato . . . ?" She asked quietly. He didn't hear her. So she walked very close to him.

"Minato?" She asked again. This time she touched him on the shoulder. He gasped and turned around. He grabbed her wrist, as if to trap her. This didn't just surprise her. It terrified her. She stared into his scared gray eyes.

"... Yukari . . . ?" He asked softly. She couldn't speak, so she just nodded. It seemed to take him several moments to realize how tightly he was holding her wrist. He let go.

"I...I'm so sorry . . . I . . . You surprised me . . . " He stammered. Yukari was still shook up.

"It's okay." She said, still collecting her thoughts. He looked sad. He had been wearing that look for two days. She didn't like it.

"Is something wrong?" She asked. He shook his head.

"Minato! You're lying. Yesterday you were talking to yourself and everything!" She yelled. He flinched at her voice.

"You're wrong. It's nothing." He replied. Now she was getting angry.

"Tell me the truth! I-"

"NOTHING'S WRONG!" He yelled loudly. This scared her. She'd never heard him yell like this.

"I'm sorry . . . " She whispered, avoiding his gaze. She looked back at his face. Tears glistened in his eyes. He ran away, leaving Yukari in the dark.

Back in his room, Minato stared into the mirror. Something was wrong.

Minato Arisato . . .

The voice called him again. Was he going crazy? Something brushed across his hand. He looked at it. A blue butterfly was flying around him. He felt a strange presence. He looked around cautiously. He looked back, but the butterfly was gone, it was no where in the room.

A/N: There it is. I know it isn't perfect, but please give it a chance. It may have MinatoYukari at first, but by the end it will be MinatoAigis. Please stick with it, even if the first couple are a bit boring. Next chapter is Aria of the Soul. (1): I totally ripped off Death Note there! I know it's really crappy, and is kind of messy, and is boring, and a little OOC. Please give me a chance though! I have an idea, so... Please be kind.