Ni-hao! This is part one of "Perceptions," a part of the Arcana Saga.

What is the Knight's perception of the Kitten? The SWAT Kats find themselves at a sudden and unwelcome crossroad...with Callie. Also, what does Camilla have up her sleeve, and does she know more than she's letting on?

Author's note: This is a semi-unusual chapter, as it ties a lot of things together. I give out my biggest clues yet.

Thanks to Kris for providing yet another piece of dialogue to be shown in a future chapter.

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


--------------------------------
The Arcana Saga:
Perceptions: Part 1
--------------------------------

"Mother can be so...persistent."

"It appears so."

"To talk about her dream is all right, but to say it in front of Ulysses!" Callie sighs, reaching for an earring from Anshi. "How embarrassing!"

"My sympathies." Anshi opens Callie's makeup bag.

"Thanks...Mother is usually accurate about that sort of thing." Callie slumps in her chair. "But...it's way too early for *that*."

Anshi smiles. "Oniisama might not think so."

"Huh?"

"Gomen. Maybe it's a good omen? A predictor for the present or future."

"I don't know." Callie reaches into her makeup bag. "And, I'm not sure mother knows herself. Doesn't mean she shouldn't said it."

"Said what?"

Callie looks up to see Kandi entering her office. "What do you want? I'm busy."

"With what? Dolling yourself up for the Commander?" Kandi casually strolls in. "It's very obvious, you know."

"You have one minute." Callie reaches for a mirror among her things. "Now, talk."

"The look you gave while you talked about Manxy's votes disturbed me. I want to know if you're being truthful."

"I have no obligation to you."

"Perhaps. But, I know you're up to something." Kandi leans down. "And, whatever it is, I will find out."

"Whatever. Your minute is up, and I have a date to prepare for." Callie looks at her watch, and then glances at her assistant. "Anshi, please escort Kandi to the door."

"Hai, Briggs-sama." Anshi starts to move.

"No, thanks. I'll leave myself." Kandi walks towards the door. "But, remember..."

"Uh, huh." Callie waves her away. "Goodbye."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Nice ring. You finally got it, huh?"

"Yeah. Dad finally entrusted me with the family keepsake...and gave the whole lecture about how important it is to the family."

"Funny! When are you going to get it engraved?"

"I don't know...Let's go over there."

"Hey! Where are we going?"

"Away from the parents."

"Aren't we being a little insensitive? We're supposed to be paying our respects."

"Oniisama...you're no fun. We've paid our respects, so can we look around, please?"

"But, where? There's nothing but tombstones and the church."

"Then we'll go to the church."

"Are you crazy, bro? They're having service."

"Service is over. And, besides, anything's better than staying with my parents."

"...I'll stay out here. This is morbid."

"Spoilsport. Fine. Wait out here. I'll just go and save a kitten."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"A fish out of water, huh?"

Feral adjusts his tie, and then smoothes his suit. "Wishful thinking? Maybe age is kicking in again..."

Feral thoughts are interrupted by his cell phone ringing. He answers it. "Yes?"

"Bro, it's me. Hitomi thought it would be best to eat at the Onyx Dragon again. How about you?"

"That's fine. I'll just go and pick up Callie and meet you there."

"Why haven't you got her now?" Ascot's voice comes through.

"I just got a report from Applewhite. She said that when they arrived at MegaKat Biochemical, there was structural damage and a katalyst is missing."

Ascot whistles. "Is it Katra?"

"With the structural damage, it sounds like Dark Kat."

"Him, too? No wonder..."

"Well, I can't do anything at this point. So, I'll tell this to Callie and we'll be on our way."

"The waiting game, huh?"

Feral sighs. "Yes, indeed."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You said what? In front of him?"

"Yes."

"Camilla, you can't say that!"

Sitting in her hotel room, Camilla cradles her ear to the phone. "Why? Maybe it will get them in gear. I'm not getting any younger!"

Trenton's sighs comes easily though the phone. "Camilla, you know the timeframe of those dreams. It could mean a day or year."

"But...my dreams..."

"I know. But, if I can wait for Callie to run for mayor, you can wait too. So, leave them alone."

"...All right. Talk to you later." Camilla waits until Trenton hangs up, then dials another number.

"Hello?"

"Hi, is Penny available?"

"Yes, ma'am. She's just finishing important business. May I ask who's calling?"

"Her sorority sister, Cami."

"Which sorority?"

"Both of them."

"...Please hold."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Oniisama was right...this is morbid."

"This church gives me the creeps...it's looks so old...Huh?"

"...Do I hear crying?"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Come on in! I'll be ready in a minute."

"...Ms. Briggs?"

"Hmm?" Callie turns around. "Oh! Hi, guys! It's been awhile."

"I'll say." T-Bone walks into Callie's office with Razor in tow. "Are we interrupting anything?"

"Not at all. It can wait." Callie puts on an earring. "What's going on?"

"We responded to a silent alarm at MegaKat Biochemical." T-Bone says.

"Oh, no. Not again." Callie sighs. "That place is almost cursed."

"And, you won't believe who was there." Razor adds. "It was..."

"...Katra and Dark Kat, right?"

"Huh?" The SWAT Kats turn to see Feral enter Callie's office, slightly surprised at the fact he wasn't wearing his uniform. Feral senses their shock.

"What? Surprised that I can actually get out of uniform?" Feral pauses in front the SWAT Kats. "Contrary to popular belief, I don't sleep in it."

"You mean, you actually have another suit besides your uniform?" T-Bone chuckles. "Better yet, a life? What a surprise!"

"Very funny." Feral crosses his arms. "You know, that just proves what a couple of clowns you really are!"

"Please!" Callie tries to break the sudden hostility. "Ulysses, what do you know?"

The SWAT Kats look at each other and whisper. "Ulysses?"

"Lt. Commander Applewhite reports to me that there was evidence of Katra breaking into MegaKat Biochemical, with structural damage consistent with Dark Kat." Feral rattles off. "And, a bottle of katalyst is missing."

"Great." Callie kind of slumps. "Just what I need right now..."

"Unfortunately, there's nothing I can do about it at the present time. We have to wait and see what they do."

"Wish the reporters were here to see this." Razor smirks. "Feral actually did his job."

Feral is silent for a moment, then smiles, which really unsettles the SWAT Kats, "Callie, if we don't leave now, we're going to be late for dinner with the Clawsons. You haven't forgotten our date, have you?"

"No, of course not." Callie collects her purse. "I'll meet you downstairs."

"Need any help?"

"No, I'll be fine." Callie smiles. "My ankle's getting stronger everyday. So..."

"I understand. I'll be downstairs." Feral turns on his heel and walks out of the office.

It's silent for awhile, only to be broken by T-Bone. "Dating?"

"Sort of." Callie replies, glancing at the watch. "Do you think there's anything else to do?"

"I hate to admit it, but the Commander is right." Razor says. "All we can do is wait."

"I thought so. Dark Kat isn't the type to broadcast his plans." Callie looks at them. "And, guys..."

"Yes?"

"Give him a chance."

"Huh?" T-Bone scratches his head. "What do you mean?"

"I know you three don't see eye to eye on everything. But, all I'm asking is that you give Feral a chance. He's been working so hard, and..." Callie looks down. "So, go easy on him for me."

Razor is a little dumbfounded. "Ms. Briggs?"

"You know, if you three could actually work together without killing each other, I'd be happy. Until then, give him a chance." Callie tosses her purse over her shoulder. "I should be going. Want me to show you out?"

"No, no. It's fine." T-Bone says. "We can see our own way out."

Callie smiles. "Keep in touch."

The SWAT Kats watches her go, and T-Bone sighs. "Those two are dating?"

Razor shrugs a little. "A sign of the times."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Please, leave me alone."

"But, you're crying! I hate to see she-kats cry!"

"...Everyone I love seems to go far, far way..."

"Not everyone you love leaves."

"...It's rather sickening, isn't it?"

"No! I mean, what can I do for you? Be a friend?"

"..."

"...a Knight?"

"There's no such thing a Knight..."

"..."

"...is there?"

"...Shall I wipe away your tears for you?"

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Cami! How good to heat from you. How are things?"

"Just fine, Penny. And you?"

"Wonderful! I'm just finishing my new wedding collection."

Camilla twirls the phone cord in her paw. "Have you decided on where to show it?"

"No, unfortunately. And, I need a special kind of model for my premier gown." Penny's voice comes through the phone.

"What about MegaKat City? You can reach a wider audience."

"That sounds good. And, I get to see my...wait a minute, Camilla. What are you planning?"

"I'm not planning anything."

"This is your older Sister talking to you! Now, tell me!"

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Oh, my...where did you get that ring?"

"...A Knight gave it to me."

"A Knight?"

"He comforted me when I was all alone...and..."

"..."

"I didn't want him to leave! I have the feeling I won't ever see him again...like Grandma..."

"Calico..."

"But, I will see him again! I just know it!"

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Callie's memories are coming back in bits and pieces. And, she's still tied to them."

"What about..."

"Nothing. Doesn't remember a thing."

"My spell outlasted your spell..."

"This isn't a time to gloat, Penny! If I knew she would react this way, I never would have done it!"

"You did what you could at the time."

"Callie so hurt when her grandmother died...and I didn't want to lock away everything."

"I know...so what do want me to do?"

"Can you pull back on your spell a little? Maybe things will fall into place better."

"I'd rather it happen naturally."

"It is...but we can help it out, right?"

Penny's sigh is heard. "...All right. I'll do it."

"Great! What about your showing?"

"I suppose I can have it in MegaKat City." Penny says. "And, who knows? Maybe we can get our two families together yet..."


To be continued...