Ni-hao! This is "The Knight That Runs Through Midnight." It's a part of the Arcana Saga.

Just how does the Deputy Mayor prepare for a date? Feral chats with a radio show. . .and gives vague answers(as usual).

Author's note: This chapter is based off of Utena episode 33. I took a lot from it. But, not too much. . .

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 Arcana Saga:
The Knight That Runs Through Midnight
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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 were 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?

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"Hello?"

"Hai."

"Just getting some unfinished work Briggs-sama left."

"Have you seen the stars tonight?"

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"What a day it had been!" Callie exclaims, tossing her shopping bags in a chair as she enters her apartment. "First Kandi gets her just deserts, then Ulysses
asks me to dinner! I'm glad I bought that extra dress today. . ."

Callie walks into her living room, and gazes at her journal. "I'd love to write, but I have to prepare for a date. . .of sorts."

"I guess I should say that I'm happy he asked. . ." Callie thinks for a minute. "I wonder if I should tell him that he seems familiar to me. . ."

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"Do you know? Do you know? Do you know what I wonder?"

Feral turns up his car radio a little with his free paw. "*I love this show. . .*"

"It's an unusually clear night in MegaKat City!"

"You can see the stars for miles around!"

"Also, two kats together tonight will be together forever!"

"Now, it's time for a Pop Quiz!"

"I love Pop Quizzes! What's the question for tonight?"

"Let's see. . .What makes a memory beautiful?"

"That's the eternal question. . ."

"So, who's our contestant for tonight?"

"Hmm. . . His pseudonym is 'Knight'."

"That's a weird name. . ."

"Well, let's call him!"

Feral's cell phone begins to ring. He picks up the phone with his free paw and answers it. "Hello?"

"Good evening! Is this Mr. Knight?"

"I suppose." Feral says.

"Were you listening to our program just now?"

"Of course."

"You have a really sexy voice. . ."

Feral chuckles. "Thanks."

"Thanks for your letter! So, what kind of work do you do, Mr. Knight?"

"I'm in law enforcement." Feral replies. "And, I have other hobbies."

"Are law enforcement officials allowed to moonlight like that?"

"Well, I've been lucky enough to keep it quiet."

"Thank you very much! Now, let's go to the Pop Quiz!"

"Do you know? Do you know? Do you know what I wonder?"

"Question: What makes a memory beautiful? A: A diamond. B: The feelings that you remember."

Feral thinks. "That would be. . ."

"That would be. . .?"

Feral's phone begins to beep. "I have another call."

"Nani? But, we haven't finished -!"

"Hello?. . .Mmm. . . I see. . .That's not a problem. I'd be happy to. See you then."

Feral clicks back over. "Gomen. Something has come up at work."

" 'At work'? And, what would that be?"

"My hobby."

"What kind of hobby is that?"

"Getting what I want." Feral smiles, and hangs up the phone.

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"You'd think I'd learn to be more timely." Callie says aloud, brushing her hair.  "I've just stepped out of the shower, haven't done my makeup, just now doing my hair, and I have thirty minutes until Ulysses picks me up."

"Mother has always said I have my priorities mixed up. I would never prepare for a meeting this way. . ."

Callie opts to pull her hair up and starts on her makeup. "But, what am I expecting out of all this. . ."

"Oh, darn it!" Callie pauses, stopping her application of lipstick in one stroke. "I left those budget reports on my desk! The last thing I need is Manx
adding extra zeros to his personal expense account. I really hope Anshi got them."

". . .Anshi has been a great assistant. . ."

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

Feral's phone begins to ring. "Hello."

"Good evening! Is this Mr. Knight?"

"Hai."

"We finally got through!"

"It wasn't good when you hung up in the middle of a question like that!"

"Gomen. Had to do something." Feral replies.

"Well, let's proceed to the next question!"

Feral blinks. "There's more?"

"You bet. Do you know? Do you know? Do you know what I wonder?"

"Question: What do wish harder for? A. Getting rid of what you hate. B: The Queen."

Feral thinks. "Wishes. . .Yes, everyone wishes for happier times in their lives.
. ."

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"Were is that purple wrap? It would go perfect with this dress!"

Callie throws open closet doors, slightly hampered by the fact she was wearing heals. She glances at the clock. "Ten minutes! I'd better find that wrap."

Callie stands on her toes, looking at the very top of her closet. "Ah! There it is!"

Callie pulls the purple down, which causes other items to come tumbling down with it.

"Jeez. . .I don't have time for this." Callie kneels down, retrieving her wrap from among the debris. A flash of a sliver picture frame catches her eye. Callie flips it over. "Huh?"

"A picture of me. . .and Ulysses." Callie picks the frame. "I remember now. The fair had come, and I had a time getting him to come with me. And, it took me forever to get him to pose for the picture. I had two pictures made. . ."

"I wonder if Ulysses still has his. . ."

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"Wishes happen everyday. Yes, wish hard enough, and they will come true."

"We're running of time. Please answer promptly, Mr. Knight!"

Feral looks incredulously at the radio. "That *is* the answer!"

"Sure it is. Well, thank you for playing, Mr. Knight!"

"My pleasure."

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"Well, it's time." Callie looks at herself in the mirror. She hears a car horn outside. "Leave it for him to be punctual."

Callie grabs her purse, and heads towards the door, smiling to herself. "It's about time, Ulysses. . ."