Ni-hao! This is "Perceptions, Part two." It's a part of the Arcana Saga.

Plans for two kats are made. Just who is Anshi working for? Penny wants to expand her fashion business to MegaKat City. And, what does a lost ring have to do with any of this?

Author's note: Have you ever looked up the character name meanings? For Callie, even though it's short for Calico, it can be short for Callista. And, Callista is the feminine form of Callistus, which means most beautiful. Interesting how that turned out.

Thanks to 'Krissy-chan' for Callie's dream here...well, a part of it. I couldn't get everything in.

And, thanks to everyone that stuck by this monster. I am ending this Saga soon, so look for a nice ending. And, watch for another Saga. ;)

Want a different version of Feral that may not be out of character? Check out "See You on the Flip Side." It's a new series that I've been wanting to write.

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 Two
*********************

"I can't believe those two are dating..."

"I don't want to believe it either, but the evidence is there."

T-Bone sighs, taking a cursory look around. The SWAT Kats were still in Callie's office. "And, she wants to give Feral a chance...I don't think so."

"Think she'll ask Feral the same thing?" Razor asks.

"I don't know...but it's a tall order." T-Bone shrugs. "And, why should we work together when he hasn't been doing his job?"

" 'Has' being the operative word."

"What do you mean?"

"It seems that he has improved himself." Razor says. "Maybe the lull we experienced allowed him to recover."

"Recover from what?"

"A while ago, Feral said that he didn't hate vigilantes, just us." Razor looks at T-Bone. "Maybe it's because he thinks we took Callie away from him. ' Doing his job' is just another way of getting her back."

T-Bone narrows his eyes a bit in thought. "Well...if he had been doing his job in the first place..."

Razor starts say more, but is interrupted by a fax machine in the office. "Odd. Faxes after office hours?"

"You know Callie. She's always doing something." T-Bone chuckles. "Maybe it's something Manx forgot."

The door to Callie's office opens, and Anshi enters. "Ah. SWAT Kats. Is something wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. We're just about to leave." Razor says.

"I see." Anshi sees the fax machine finish its operation and walks over to it. "I wonder what this is..."

Anshi scans the cover letter. "Murachi-sama..."

T-Bone blinks. "Murachi?"

"I-I have to go now." Anshi quickly leaves the office with fax.

"What was that all about?" Razor asks.

"I don't know." T-Bone moves toward the door. "Let's follow her."

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

"You did that on purpose."

"I did not. We were going to be late."

Callie sighs a little, propping her elbow onto door of Feral's car. "You're incorrigible."

"Of course." Feral smiles, keeping his paw steady on the steering wheel.

"I'll tell you what I told the SWAT Kats."

"Which is?"

"If you three could work together, I'd be happy...without killing each other, of course."

"You know, killing them is not such a bad idea..."

"Ulysses!"

"Sorry." Feral downshifts his car. "But, that's a very tall order."

"I know it's difficult." Callie gently touches Feral's arm. "But, could you try for me?"

"You're not being fair, Callie."

"I know."

Feral takes a breath. "All right. I'll try...but expect a little bloodshed."

Callie chuckles. "Anyway, I apologize for my mother."

"You mean the 'fish out of water' comment?"

"Yes...Mother can be so meddlesome." Callie sighs. "It's way too soon."

"Oh, I wouldn't say *that*..."

Callie looks at him. "That's a rather bold statement, Commander."

"Oh? The desire to have kittens is bold?"

"That's not what I meant and you know it."

Feral sneaks a glance at Callie. "Enlighten me."

Callie crosses her arms. "Really, Ulysses...aren't we being forward?"

"Am I?...Ouch!"

Callie pinches Feral's arm. "I told you I wasn't going to stand for your double talk. Now, either you say it or you don't!"

"Alright! I won't say it."

"Very well." Callie releases Feral's arm. "I guess I won't have to say 'yes' then."

Feral blinks. "I see."

**********************************************************
"I lost it."

"Nani? You mean, after the speech I gave to you about how important it is to our family, you lost it?"

"I looked all over, but I couldn't find it."

"...Ulysses Feral, I'm disappointed in you. If you hadn't snuck off with Clawson and stayed put, we wouldn't be having this conversation, would we?"

"..."

"I expected more from my thirteen year old son."

"Now, dear. Don't be too harsh. Accidents do happen."

"I suppose..."

"Who knows? Maybe his ring will turn up...someday."

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

"Murachi-sama...it's me, Anshi."

"How is my 'other' daughter?"

"Fine, thank you."

"I take it you received my fax."

"Hai, but it was a little risky."

"Had to take the chance of you being there...does your brother suspect anything?"

"I don't think so."

"Good. I'd rather not let him know."

"But, he will find out...he has sources everywhere."

"Darling, he will know it's me when he hears the name Murachi. So, don't worry about it."

"...Okay."

"Now then, you know what to do with the information. I'll be there soon."

"Hai, Murachi-sama."

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

"Sneaky little...! I knew they were up to something!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Feral and Anshi." T-Bone takes a chance to peek from their hiding place. "They were conspiring together."

"That may be true, but that sounds like Anshi and someone else. *Not* Feral."

"How'd you figure?"

"If it was Feral, do you think he talk about something like that while he's on a date?" Razor points out. "I don't think so."

"...You're right." T-Bone says after a moment. "But, what can we do?"

"Nothing. It's none of our business." Razor says. "It could be something innocent...and besides, I think Callie's mother was lobbying hard for them to get together."

"Yeah...Well, let's go." T-Bone says, walking away. "And begin the mind numbing task of waiting."

"Not necessarily. Why don't we check the docks?"

"The docks?"

"Yeah. Dark Kat always seemed to be in out of the way places. And, the docks is a perfect place for Katra." Razor says. "So, are you up for it?"

"Aren't I always?"

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

"Toni, what would you say to opening a fashion house in MegaKat City?"

"I'd say that MegaKat City is hardly the fashion capitol of the world...And, where are you going, Penny?"

Penelope, a slightly graying she-kat, sits her suitcases down with a thump. "To MegaKat City. I think I might to do my showing there."

Anthony looks at his wife over the newspaper he was reading. "You're plotting something."

"No, I'm not! My sorority sister suggested that it would be a great place to show off my new wedding collection...and she has the perfect model in mind, too." Penelope says matter-of-factly.

"So, how long will you be gone?"

"As long as it takes...this might be a new market."

"I don't know..."

"It's *my* money too, darling. And, besides, I'm always willing to take a risk...unlike you, Mr. Business Kat."

"All right, all right. I'll consider it."

"Thank you." Penelope hears a car horn and grabs her bags. "That's my ride. I'd better go."

"Have a nice trip...Oh, and Penny..."

"Hmm?"

Anthony resumes reading his paper. "Give my son my best...and tell him to get his tail in gear."

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

"Hey! Watch where you're going!"

"Oh, sorry!" The SWAT Kats stop their run as Kandi walks up to them.

"Hey, you're the SWAT Kats, right? Her Majesty's servants." Kandi smirks. "Answering to her beck and call?"

"I beg your pardon?" Razor asks.

"What does that she-kat have that makes every male bend over backwards for her?" Kandi mumbles for awhile, then focuses on Razor. "Funny..."

Razor becomes uncomfortable all of a sudden. "Hmm?"

Kandi leans forward a little and smiles at the smaller kat. "Wanna play?"

"Excuse me?" Razor sputters.

"You're blushing! Aren't we cute." Kandi laughs, running a paw along Razor's face. "And, I bet you're much better company than the mayor..."

"Let's go, Razor!" T-Bone grabs his partner by the collar and drags him away.

Kandi chuckles, watching them go. "Weird...am I supposed to love him or something?"

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

"We'd better hurry. Oniisama can get ferocious when he's hungry." Feral helps Callie out of his car.

"I see." Callie takes a moment to straighten her clothes. "Oh, Ulysses..."

"Hmm?"

"Ready for the big night tomorrow?"

"You mean, the Awards Banquet?"

"Yes."

"Sure." Feral say flatly as Callie links her arm with his. "I ready to Manx get all those awards he doesn't deserve."

"That may happen, but I wasn't thinking about that."

"Oh?"

"We announce tomorrow. Isn't that more important?"

"Of course it is."

Callie laughs lightly. "Did you know that I had a dream about you ordering me to a date?"

"If it was only that simple...Ouch!" Callie pinches Feral on the arm.

"I remember it very clearly...You said something like, 'You WILL meet me tonight at 1800 hours!'"

"That sounds like a lot of fun." Feral says, risking being pinched again. "But, I prefer a more gentle approach."

"That's nice...so, when are we going on another date? Since everything from here on is supposed to be in public."

Feral smiles a bit. "...Everything? Ouch!"

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

"Cami...it's me. I'm on my way to MegaKat City now."

"Really? Great! Think you'll be able to sneak in?"

"I don't know. My son is pretty keen."

"Ah." Camilla twirls the phone cord in her paw.

"But, that's beside the point." Penny says. "Do you think that Callie will model my wedding dress?"

"If she wants her future in-law's favor..."

"Cami..."

"Sorry." Camilla chuckles. "But, I think she will since you have an interest in expanding to MegaKat City."

"Great...Oh, and Cami..."

"Yes?"

"My spell's better than your spell..."

Camilla rolls her eyes. "You're enjoying that, aren't you?"

"Yes...especially since I beat a descendant to the Queen!"


To be continued...