It is the day after the Awards Banquet. How is Jake and Chance doing? Who pays them a visit? A she-kat has an adverse reaction to a newspaper headline. Also, Murachi reveals themselves to Callie.

Author's note: Same Journey, new Saga, and hopefully shorter than the million chapter monster. I'd like to thank again all that stuck by the Journey, and hope you enjoy this Saga as well.

I have not given up on Eclipse, in fact, I keep chipping away at it. See You on the Flip Side is going strong, too. I hope you enjoy them as well.

As always, send any comments or questions to AkaneKitty@aol.com. Or, drop me a line in my review section at Fanfiction.net. Enjoy!

Ja ne,
AkaneKitty

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The Eternal Dreams Saga:
Prologue
*********************

Once upon a time, years and years ago, there was a little kitten, who was very sad, that her grandmother had died.

"Shall I wipe away your tears for you?"

Before the kitten, appeared a regal Knight. With a kind smile, he wrapped the kitten in a comforting embrace and gently wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Your tears are needed for the living."

"So why don't you smile with me?"

"..."

"I guess this won't comfort you much. All it is just silly ring."

"...But, maybe, just maybe..."

"...You can look back on this day..."

"...And remember your Knight..."

"I do hope to be your Knight, someday..."

"Will I ever see you again?"

" Who knows where the roads of Fate may lead us?"

Was the ring a promise to meet again? Perhaps. But, because of this memory, the kitten now subconsciously seeks the Knight in each kat she meets!

But, is that really a good idea?

*******************************

"Good morning, Briggs-sama!"

"Good morning." Callie stretches as she enters her office, thankful that Feral had shown her an alternate way to get into City Hall.

Anshi chuckles a bit. "You look sleepy."

"Do I?"

"Hai."

Callie smiles as she takes a seat at her desk. "Now...what's on the agenda for today..."

"If you look you at the itinerary on your desk, you'll see a press conference scheduled." Anshi points it out. "Since so many reporters want to talk with you, I thought it would be best if you talked with them all at once."

"That sounds good." Callie picks up the sheet of paper and looks at it further. "Meeting with my campaign director, meeting with usual departments...umm, Anshi?"

"Hmm?"

"What's this Murachi doing on here? Isn't that the famous designer?"

"Hai." Anshi nods. "She called today. She wants to test out the market here."

"Ahh...That's okay." Callie sits back in her chair, subconsciously rubbing the ring Feral gave her. "She can give us a big boost in the downtown area...and she makes lovely wedding gowns..."

Anshi smiles. "Nice ring."

"Hmm? Oh! Thanks." Callie holds it out. "Think it'll stick out too much?"

"It is on your left paw..."

"So it is." Callie looks at the clock and stands up. "Looks like it's time for the press conference...Let's go Anshi."

********************************************

"...The one that pulls the sword was the one that could handle the sword because of his lineage that was created after the sword was pulled."

-The Shadowplay

********************************************

"It's a good thing your friend is so strong. The blade would have cut deeper than it did."

"...Will he be all right?"

The doctor takes a look at some charts and nods. "They closed the wound, but it's imperative that he lets it heal...You can see him now if you want."

The doctor walks away, and Jake wrings his paws. "Thank goodness..."

"Go see him." Phoebe speaks up from her seat outside the hospital room.

"But..." Jake looks down. "I..."

"J-kun, he's your best friend. Get in there!"

*********************************************

"Have you seen the headlines coming out of MegaKat City?"

"..."

"What's the matter? Tongue tied?"

"No!" Turmoil grabs the paper from Lokii's paws and scans it. "What the..."

"Your Cabreti looks good with the Queen, don't you think?" Lokii smiles.

"...You came here all this way to show me that?" Turmoil faces the spirit. "What are you trying to pull?"

"I'm just testing to see if you have any feelings for the kat. You know...love...hate." Lokii's smile grows broader. "But, I guess not. I'll just take my leave..."

"Wait a minute." Turmoil stands up. "This she-kat...isn't she the same one that's revered by all?"

"Yes."

Turmoil picks up the paper again. "Hmm..."

*************************************************************

"Jake..."

"Hey...How do you feel?"

"I've felt better." Chance winces as he adjusts himself in the hospital bed.

"...That's good..." Jake looks away.

"What's wrong?"

"...It's all my fault."

"Huh?"

"It's all because of me that you're this way." Jake clenches his paws. "And, after the way I treated you...you don't deserve this!"

"Jake..."

Jake looks up at Chance, who smiles. "Jake...you're my best friend. And, regardless of how I still don't understand everything, I wasn't going to let that psycho get you."

"Chance..."

"And, besides," Chance tosses a pillow at Jake. "You can pay me back by doing the entire backlog by yourself!"

"Think Feral would let us get away with not doing it since he's kicking us out?" Jake deflects the pillow.

"I doubt it." Chance turns somber. "But, what do we do after this?"

"I don't know. But, the last days are going to be with you...regardless of Dad."

***************************************************************

"Here you are."

"Thanks." Phoebe gratefully takes the can of milk from Kia.

"Did he wake up?" Kia asks, sitting besides Phoebe.

"Yes. I can hear them talking." Phoebe says, pausing to take sip of milk.

"That's good."

"Excuse me..."

"Hmm?" Phoebe looks up. Standing before her is a tall, muscular kat, with a long, black ponytail. He wears clothes that display a dragon motif, which he smoothes.

Phoebe's eyes widen. "Mr. Vice President..."

"I wish you would call me Ohtori." The kat sighs. "I don't call you the Dragon Bride all the time."

"Gomen." Phoebe looks at him. "Why are you here?"

"To apologize to the Dragon Prince and his friend on the behalf of the Council." Ohtori lowers his violet eyes. "And, to you as well."

"I see..."

"So, where is he?"

"In this room." Phoebe motions with her paw.

"Good. This won't take long."

**************************************************

"Yes?... Oh, hi Mom."

"Are you busy?" Camilla steps into Callie's office.

"Not at all...I have a few minutes before I meet with Murachi." Callie straightens some papers.

"The famous designer?" Camilla asks. "Wow!...Should I be expecting something?"

"Mother..."

"All right, all right." Camilla asks. "But, I do have a little problem with you, dear. You just don't make an announcement like running for mayor and then just disappear!"

"I thought it would be best if Manx stewed for awhile."

"So...where did you go?"

Callie sits back in her chair. "No comment."

Camilla shrugs. "Okay."

"Okay? Am I hearing you right?"

"Yes." Camilla looks at her watch. "And, I don't want to keep you from your meeting. See you!"

Callie shakes her head as she watches her mother leave. "Weird..."

*************************************************************

"Who is it?...Oh...Ohtori."

"Sorry if I'm intruding." Ohtori steps into the hospital room. "I'll keep this short." He then looks at Chance. "I am Ohtori, Vice President of the Council."

"Council?" Chance mulls it over. "Oh, that Council Nanami is the President of."

"Was."

Jake looks at him. "Huh?"

"Nanami was stripped of her powers and suspended." Ohtori says. "They are now mine."

"Oh..." Jake thinks for a moment.

"So, on behalf of Sonji and Eboni, the other members of the Council, I apologize to the both of you." Ohtori looks back at Chance. "You especially."

"Thanks...I think."

"What about the duels?" Jake asks.

"They are suspended until further notice...or until I receive a letter." Ohtori heads toward the door. "Again, I apologize."

"No problem." Jake watches Ohtori leave.

"That kat has an imposing figure." Chance comments.

"I know. He was my most difficult opponent." Jake sighs. "It's a good thing I don't have to fight him now."

***************************************************

"My beautiful claw..."

"It's only a splint, Gina! You can still fly!"

"But, I won't be able to my precision flying...."

Felina rolls her eyes as she and Gina walk through MegaKat hospital. The soft clicking of heels offset the norm.

"It's a surprise to see you dressed up." Gina comments after her diatribe. "Did the Commander make you do it?"

"Nah... My grandmother." Felina pauses to adjust her shoe. She hated heels. "She's in town, and since I'm off duty..."

"Nothing more needs to be said...but...why wear heels if you hate them?"

"I need to get used to them someday, and..." Felina feels herself lose her footing. "Whoa...!"

Felina starts to fly forward, but two strong paws catch her. "Gotcha!"

"How embarrassing..." Felina finds herself looking into violet eyes. "Oh..."

"Are you all right?" The kat asks.

"Yes, thank you." Felina becomes aware of the kat's paws still around her. "...Do you mind?"

"Oh! Sorry!" The kat releases her. "It's a good thing I was nearby."

"Yes, it is."

"But, where are my manners. I'm Ohtori." The kat says, smiling.

"Felina. Nice to meet you."

"Same here." Ohtori looks at his watch. "I'd better go. See you!"

Felina watches him go. Gina exhales. "He's a lot cuter the Steele..."

"Gina!"

"Just being honest!" Gina suddenly smiles. "Or, are you interested?"

"We've got to go." Felina starts to walk away.

"Hey!"

**************************************************************

"Briggs-sama, Murachi is here."

"Great! Send them in."

Callie stands up while a she-kat enters the office. She was looking very distinguished, in her suit and pulled back hair. In fact she looked very familiar...

"Is anything wrong?" The she-kat asks.

"I'm sorry...it's just that you look familiar to me..." Callie extends her paw. "But, it's a pleasure to meet you, Miss..."

"Please...call me Penny." The she-kat accepts the paw. "May I ask who I remind you off?"

"Well, you look like the Commander of the city."

"Really?" Penny laughs. "That's a first. They always say my son looks like his father."

Callie looks puzzled. "I don't understand."

"Commander Ulysses Feral is my son." Penny smiles. "My full name is Penelope Murachi-Feral."

"...It's a pleasure to meet you again..."

To be continued...