Ni-hao! This is "Sorting Your Feelings," a part of the Arcana Saga.

Is Turmoil going to leave town without a fight? Callie ponders over what Feral said, or didn't say. Teioh tries to annoy Feral, but. . .

Author's note: Camilla. . .She started as a passing character, but she turned into a meddling, but supportive mother. I like writing about her.

Never go to sleep with SWAT Kats and Utena on the brain. . .My quirkiness stays with me even in my dreams. . .

And, thanks to Kris. . .my barometer. . .for pulling me back into reality every once and awhile. . .This story gets deep sometimes.

As always, send any questions or comments to AkaneKitty@aol.com. Or, drop me a line in my review section at Fanfiction.net. Kris has no problems telling me when she's confused!

Ja ne,
AkaneKitty

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The Arcana Saga:
Sorting Your Feelings
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" 'You're my boss, huh?' "

Callie stares into her teacup, swirling the tea mindlessly.

"A day for giving chocolate to the most important she-kat in your life," Callie continues to stir her tea, "And, I'm his * boss *!"

Callie finally takes the spoon out of the tea, and sits it down besides the cup. "Ulysses can be so frustrating at times. . ."

"Briggs-sama?"

Callie looks up to see her assistant coming through the door. "Anshi."

"Aren't you thirsty? Your tea will get cold if you don't drink it." Anshi walks towards Callie's desk.

Callie pushes the cup away and sighs. "Anshi?"

"Hai?" Anshi starts to pick up the cup.

"Are you sure your brother doesn't reveal much?"

"Reveal. . .what?"

"You, know. . .thoughts. . .feelings. . ."

Anshi is silent for a minute. "Oniisama is. . .very complex."

"Tell me about it."

"Have you considered asking him? He might surprise you."

Callie looks at her. "What you mean?"

"Oniisama can be brutally honest at times. You just have to decode his words."

"Decode, huh?"

"Hai."

Callie sits back in her chair. "But, when is he honest?"


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

"You have to admit, Feral is pretty sly."

"Sly?"

Chance tosses his helmet into his locket. "Yeah, sly. He's being sneaky in his operations."

"In what way?" Jake puts on his work outfit.

"Doesn't it seem like he's after Callie?"

Jake thinks a minute. "I can see some signs, but. . ."

"No buts. It seem like he has this master plan." Chance closes his locker. "But, why now? He had plenty time before we showed up."

"Maybe he's not made out of stone like you said, Chance."

"A late bloomer?"

"Nah. But, it could explain why he hates us."

Chance blinks. "What do you mean?"

"Think about. It could be said that we took the Queen away from him.  That would make anybody angry."

"We took the Queen away from him. . ." Chance says slowly. "Well, if he wasn't on an ego trip. . ."

"But, was it really an ego trip?"

"Huh?"

"You asked me about how Feral acted before we were kicked out. I said he seem preoccupied with something."

"Yeah. . ."

"Maybe this whole thing has been a slow boil. He might be gearing up to get rid of us."

"Which is what Lokii has been saying all along." Chance crosses his arms.

Jake cracks a smile. "Are you gearing up for an 'I told you so' ?"

Chance looks innocent "Who, me?"

Jake laughs a little, then turns sober. "You know, if Callie doesn't depend on us anymore, would it still be the same?"

Chance shrugs. "We could still help the city and all, but, I don't think it would be the same. We might fade away."

"But," Jake thinks aloud, "How would Feral's possible reclaiming the Queen do that?"

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

"What's this I hear? Are you leaving, Terri?"

Lokii floats in midair as she watches Terri pack a couple of bags.

"You heard correctly, dear."

"But, why cut out so soon? I thought you would do more punishment than this."

Terri places a few more things into her bag. "I am no longer the object of Cabreti's affection. Nor am I T-Bone's. But, that doesn't mean I won't be back."

"Oh?"

Terri reaches into her pocket and draws out a ring. "I'll be making anniversary plans."

"An anniversary can't be celebrated by one party."

"Exactly. Which is why you'll be giving this ring to Cabreti." Terri tosses the ring to Lokii. "Give him my best."

Lokii smiles. "I'll consider it an honor."

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

"Calico?"

Callie stifles a groan as she watches her mother walk into her office. "I thought you were going back to your hotel?"

"I changed my mind." Camilla looks at her daughter. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Camilla cocks her head to the side. "Then, why the face? Aren't you supposed to get chocolates for being a very important she-kat?"

"I did."

"And?"

"I'm his boss!"

"Boss?" Camilla thinks a minute. "Well, technically, you are. . ."

"You're not helping, mother!"

"Why the reaction? For someone being confused about her Knight, your actions seem to be of frustration."

Callie blinks. "Really?"

Camilla nods. "You're not being honest with yourself, darling."

"Where have I heard that before?" Callie sighs.

"You know, darling, I still would like an introduction. . ."

"Well, you're not going to get it soon, mother."

"Soon? So there's still a chance, right?"

"Mother!"

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

"Oh. You. What brings you here, Teioh?"

Teioh drums his pencil against his notepad. Despite enjoying to rib the Commander, he realized that the kat could be an imposing figure when he wanted to. Teioh takes a breath and smiles slightly.

"So, I see that High Command has taken that little mark off your record."  Teioh sits back in one of Feral's office chairs. "Are you being good around the ladies?"

To Teioh surprise, Feral leans forward over his desk and smiles a bit.  "Haven't I always?"

Teioh blinks, trying to regain his composure. "I also hear that you're doing the Fall Season."

"Uh, huh."

"Are you getting what you want?"

Feral sits back in his chair. "What do mean?"

"Well, it's pretty well known you go for the blonde hair and green eye type."

"What's wrong with that?"

Again, Teioh blinks. "So, you are going after the Deputy Mayor?"

Feral smile a bit. "No comment."

"That's what you always say. Why not be bold for once?"

"So you can have an exclusive? No thanks." Feral stands. "Now, if you'll excuse me. I have work to do."

"All right." Teioh rises from his chair. "I guess I can meet with the Deputy Mayor, then."

"Do whatever you like." Feral shows Teioh the door.


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

"Bah! It never fails! Just as soon as we get some peace and quiet, the phone rings!" Chance spouts off, waving his wrench dangerously in the air.

Chance and Jake were in the hangar, doing some regular maintenance work on the TurboKat.

"Don't worry. I'll get it." Jake laughs

Jake climbs up the ladder, and sprints towards the phone. "MegaKat Salvage Yard."

"Ah! So, I've finally caught up with you, my Dragon Prince."

Jake nearly drops the phone. "Madame President."

"Hai. Why is that no one Challenges you now? This is our generation's chance to recover the Dragon Sword."

"Cowards, I guess."

"That's an odd choice of words."

"Why do you say that?"

"Your family hasn't announced your engagement to the Dragon Bride.  Why such secrecy? Is there a problem?"

"Problem?"

"I bet there's someone you haven't told! Is it a friend? A partner? Is it the same kat that shares your pain?"

"What is it, Nanami? Say it and get off!"

The she-kat laughs. "Just seeing if I can rattle you. Take care, my Dragon Prince. If no one is up to the task, I might Challenge you myself."

The line goes dead.