Crazee: Ha! I've finally come up with some inspiration for my original pairing, Reki/Mist!

Reki: (unenthusiastically) Whoot.

Crazee: Liven up will ya? I may lock you in the basement if ya don't.

Reki: I'll never go down there!

Crazee: Then be a good boy and read the disclaimer.

Reki: Fine. Crazee owns nothing. Not .hack/DUSK, not Fire Emblem, nothing at all.

Crazee: Good Reki. (gives him a cookie.)

Chapter One

Humming a cheerful tune, Mist skipped into the little cottage Reki and his good friend Balmung called home. It was a beautiful day, marred only by the early signs of an approaching storm. She hoped to spend some time outside with her new friends before the storm came. Perhaps they could squeeze in a picnic or something.

Stopping just inside the door, Mist looked around. At first it seemed like there was no one home, but she caught a glimpse of a snow white wing in the next room. Smiling, she tip-toed towards the room.

"Morning Balmung!" she shouted, pouncing on her unsuspecting prey.

Both she and the young man that had fallen victim to her childish antics tumbled to the ground.

Mist kept Balmung pinned down, a smile creeping onto her face.

"Is Reki home today?" she inquired innocently.

With a sigh, Balmung nodded. Although Reki had asked not to be bothered, there was no way Mist would take no for an answer. When it came to Reki, Mist would turn the entire cottage upside-down before she'd accept that he wasn't in.

"He's up on the roof."

"The roof?"

"You know him. Lately, it's always the weather."

Her smile broadened as Mist nodded and dashed off to the stairway that lead to the second floor. Once upstairs, she quickly located the trapdoor and climbed onto the thatched roof. To her pleasure, Reki was laying on the southern-facing side, looking up at the sky.

"Hi Reki!"

The young blonde didn't seem to hear her, so she decided to invite herself to sit next to him. She was positive he wouldn't mind. After all, he couldn't be doing anything important.

"What are ya looking at?"

Again he just sat in silence.

"Aw, come on Reki, what are ya looking at?"

Reki sighed and looked over at the intruder. He seemed fairly annoyed.

"Watching the birth of a storm." he replied, once again turning his eyes skyward.

"Storms aren't born. That's just silly."

"That's what the people back home said."

Seemingly hurt by Mist's previous comment, Reki got up and started across the roof in the direction of the trapdoor. Mist frowned. Had she said something wrong?

"Reki, wait!" she called without thinking.

Reki turned and gave her a questioning look.

"I-I'm sorry if I offended you. C-could you show me what you mean?" questioned Mist, her cheeks taking on a redish tinge.

Reki seemed to study her for a few moments before nodding and returning to the patch of thatch he had previously occupied. Once settled, he motioned for her to lay beside him, insisting that she be as close as possible.

"Okay, first of all, what do you see when you look at the sky?" he asked.

"Clouds." Mist replied simply.

Once again looking insulted, Reki shook his head. Wordlessly he pointed to a small, white cloud that seemed miles in the distance.

"Watch that cloud." he instructed.

Mist did as she was told. She watched that small, white cloud. To her surprise, it was slowly growing larger, doubling, then trpiling it's original size. Within minutes, it was just as large and dark as the thunderheads that filled the southern sky.

Shocked, Mist picked out another small cloud. It too swelled into a dark, ominous thunder cloud. Just as Reki had said, it was like watching the birth of a storm.

"You were right." she breathed.

Reki propped himself up on his elbows and smiled. Mist couldn't help but think that smile was the warmest, most handsome smile she had ever seen.

Unknown to either of the teens, a pale, raven-haired mage was watching them from below. A thoughtful frown was etched on his face.

"Wouldn't it be interesting if he did turn out to be a true weather mage?" he asked no one in partciular.

He shook the idea off almost as quickly as it had crossed his mind. It was best he stayed out of it. If he got involved, the kid would become his student. Outwardly, he cringed at the idea. But deep down, the seemingly cold-hearted Soren yearned to instruct an aspiring mage in the arts of magic.

Crazee: Well, that's chapter one. What did you think?

Reki: I think you're in desparte need of a new hobby.

Crazee: Eh? What do you mean by that?

Reki: Your invading my personal life and posting it on the web! What if Ike finds it?

Ike: Finds what?

Reki: Gotta go.

Crazee: (sighs) Pay them no mind. Reveiws are greatly appreciated. I'd love to know what you thought of my first fic. And besides, whether or not I continue this depends on whether or not you want me to.

Mist: And believe me, this could turn out to be quite an adventure.