Disclaimers: Ninja Storm belongs to Saban or BVE or both…or to someone who ISN'T me. 

A/N: At the Beginning is the first 'book' of five in the Beautiful Sky series.  You'll notice that music has a lot to do with the whole thing.  This isn't a songfic, but I got a lot of ideas from music, especially for titles.  The title "Beautiful Sky" is from Reamonn.  And "At the Beginning" comes from the Anastasia soundtrack.

Feedback:  Yes, please!  I've never undertaken anything this massive before and I need to know if it's all been worth it!  So, please, read and review. 

Last A/N:  Although this is Hunter/Cam fic, they don't start out together.  And it's a LONG process (they both have stubborn streaks with their own ZIP codes).  It's rated PG for minor language and some slash-y stuff.  The rating will probably go up to PG13 in later books (just a warning).  But At the Beginning is PG.

Set sometime between Pork Chopped and Samurai's Journey. 

Chapter 1  A Spark or Two

"You're brooding again," Cam stated as he approached Hunter by the lake.

"Mom always said that I should develop by talents," Hunter replied, not moving.

"You're already an excellent brooder, Hunter.  I hardly think you need more practice."

"You never know how much better I could become."

Cam groaned, sitting next to the Crimson Thunder ninja.  Cam couldn't help but notice that they were both wearing black jeans…

"I'd rather you didn't."

"What's it to you?" Hunter asked, turning his head slightly to gage Cam's answer.

Cam shrugged, knowing Hunter was watching him.  He kept his eyes focused on the water, the last thing he needed was to get the least bit flustered under Hunter's blue-eyed gaze.

When did I notice what color his eyes are? 

"I gotta run.  I'm meeting Blake at the track.  He said something about kicking my butt.  Although I'm sure it's the other way around," Hunter announced, standing.

Cam moved to stand as well, although he was surprised by the outstretched hand that Hunter had offered.  After a one-second internal debate, he took Hunter's hand.  Once on his feet, he was reluctant to let go.  And he was pretty sure Hunter picked up on it too.

"You got anything exciting planned for tonight?" Hunter asked as he and Cam headed back toward Ninja Ops.

Cam glanced at Hunter, who wore an unmistakable smirk.  One that said he already knew the answer.  And Cam knew he was that predictable.

"Just a hot date with the Zords.  You know, those big machines that the five of you keep finding new ways to thrash?"

"Really doesn't sound so hot.  And as for the Zordthrashing, it's just one of the many talents the five of us share. And it keeps you from getting bored."

"Don't worry about me being bored.  I have enough stuff to do around here to keep me occupied for a long time."

"Anyway…Listen, you wanna hang out or something?" Hunter asked, pausing near the entrance to Ninja Ops.

"Why not?  I could use a little 'outside' time," Cam answered.

"You wanna meet me at Storm Chargers at 5?"

"Allright, see you then.  And be careful out there."

Hunter almost did a double-take when Cam cautioned him.  He didn't see that one coming.  Cam never cautioned them when they were Rangering.  So being cautioned for riding was new.

"Always am, bro," Hunter grinned, matching the grin that Cam wanted to show.  "See you at 5!"

Hunter jogged off, leaving Cam alone in front of the Ninja Ops entrance.  Cam watched Hunter leave for a few seconds before heading back inside.  When Cam sat in front of his computer, his mind was not with him.  He found himself wishing that he had a plausible reason to go to the track to watch Hunter.  But since he didn't…

"Six hours," Cam whispered to himself.  "Just six hours."

"Six hours until what, my son?" his father asked, appearing out from another room.

Cam winced when he heard his father's question.  Telling the Sensei-turned-guinea-pig that his only son was somewhat attracted to one of the Rangers whose name wasn't Tori wasn't something high on his 'fun things to do' list. 

"I'm meeting Hunter at 5," Cam answered, hoping that he sounded as normal as he thought he did.

I guess I don't do internal panic as well as I thought.

"And what will you be doing?"

"Not sure, exactly.  Just hanging out," Cam answered, glad that the vague truth was all he had since he truly didn't know exactly what they'd be doing.

"Will the others be joining you?"

"I don't think so.  I know Tori and Blake are double dating with Shane and some girl from the skate park.  And I think Dustin mentioned something about a birthday in the family.  If you don't mind me asking, what's with the interrogation?  I thought you'd be happy that I'm getting out of the cave for a little while."

"I am.  It's a father's duty to have an active involvement in his child's life."

Cam remained silent, only nodding in understanding.  He focused back on the computer.   The rest of the afternoon was uneventful, as Cam worked on what he had to do.  He showed up at Storm Chargers a few minutes early, frowning when he saw Hunter sitting by the door with an icepack on his ankle.

"What happened?" Cam sighed, sitting by Hunter's ankle so he could examine it.

"Bike accident.  Don't worry, I'm fine, it's only a light sprain.  I've done worse," Hunter grinned.

"That really isn't a comforting thought."

"I just promised Blake and Kelly that I'd sit here with the ice until you got here.  They figured we won't be doing anything too strenuous," Hunter explained after flashing Cam a smile.

"You wouldn't want to go back to Ninja Ops so I could take a look at that, would you?"

Hunter rolled his eyes and repeated, "I'm fine."

Cam leaned back onto his hands, his gaze traveling up from Hunter's injured ankle to his blue eyes that were staring back at him.

"What do you want to do?" Cam asked, knowing he'd never convince Hunter to have that ankle examined anytime soon.

"Don't know.  There's that street fair in the center of town," Hunter suggested.  "And it's not too far from here."

"Sounds good, I haven't been to one in…well, forever," Cam smiled, getting to his feet.  "You sure you'll be ok walking on that ankle?"

"For the last friggin' time!  I.Am.Fine!" Hunter said, beginning to get up on his own.

"So much for being careful…" Cam sighed, giving Hunter a little help standing.

"Thanks, bro."

Cam bit his tongue, only rolling his eyes.  The use of that word, along with a few others, was wearing thin.  As they walked, Cam kept a little closer than normal to Hunter.  And he wasn't sure it was out of concern for the injured ankle, or just to be a little closer to the tall blond.  Hunter told him about the riding accident at the track that led to the sprain, and Cam noticed that if Hunter was in any pain, he wasn't showing it. 

"I'm so glad that the fair isn't any further," Hunter said.  "I'm starved!"

"Let's see what's around.  What are you in the mood for?"

"Right now, I'm so hungry I'll eat just about anything."

Since most of the food stands were grouped together, it was easy for both to find something they liked.  And while Cam experimented with pizza, Hunter went for the old fashioned cheeseburger.

"Mayo?" Cam asked as he watched Hunter empty a mayonnaise packet onto his burger.

"A little mayo, a little ketchup with a hint of mustard," Hunter grinned, taking a bite.

"I'd hate to see what you'd come up with in the kitchen."

"I'm not a bad cook, ask Blake.  I'm better than he is."

"Again with the non-comforting thought."

Hunter gave Cam a look, foregoing a comeback in favor of his dinner.  Afterwards, Hunter and Cam walked around, looking at all of the booths with each buying a trinket here and there.

"Mind if we sit for a minute?" Hunter asked after an hour.

"Not at all," Cam answered, scanning for somewhere to sit.

Cam led Hunter to a low rock wall where they both could sit.  Hunter swung his injured ankle up onto the wall as well, pulling the pant leg up high enough so he could take a look.