Ni-hao! This is "The Sunlit Garden."
Major Jake Clawson, secretary to the Executive Council, is a genius. Not only does he design weapon systems for SWAT, he also fences and plays the piano at the national level. But, what Jake desires the most is to reclaim his "Sunlit Garden". So, why does it cause him to Duel with Feral?
Author's notes: A special thanks to Renee Twist and Alegna for giving me in-depth thoughts to this and other serious. A few of my favorite vic...er Internet friends. ;)
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
***************
Epsilon:
The Sunlit Garden
***************
Being an Executive Council Member has its perks.
The Council had its own facilities. Even though campus policy stated that it was open for all, Council members had first choice.
"I could never match my sister's playing."
Major Jake Clawson sits in the music room at the piano, playing a piece of music...
...that seemed to have no end.
Anyone that hung around the music room knew that Jake played the same piece of music over and over again, by memory. And, today was no exception.
The piano piece was beautiful, yet sad.
Footsteps are heard in the room, and Jake stops playing.
Kei begins to clap. "Your piano playing is so wonderful, Jake! It's the pride of Epsilon."
Jake just sits there.
"Thanks to your performance the other day, the party turned out so wonderfully." Kei continues. "But, why did you drop out of the competition? The admirals were so disappointed."
Jake presses a key. "The piano is off key."
"Oh? It was just tuned this week."
"...Maybe I'm the one that needs tuning." Jake sighs, and resumes playing.
Kei looks at him, and then notices Jake's notebook on top of the piano. "You always play that song when you're alone."
"The truth is, this is the only song that means anything to me." Jake closes his eyes. "Because, if I keep playing, I hope she will hear it."
" 'She'?" Kei asks, picking up Jake's notebook.
"But, I just can't get this song just right. No matter what I do, I can't find the right notes."
"Oh, no! It sounds just fine!" Kei blushes, flipping through the notebook. "It tells me what your feelings are...huh?"
"It's a song about how I can't express what I feel inside."
Kei comes across a picture in Jake's notebook. Her expression turns slightly sour. "What's the song's name?"
" 'The Sunlit Garden'."
**********************************************************
"They say the power of the Rose Bride could grant you anything you want."
"Anything?"
"Anything."
For once, Jake wasn't taking notes. This wasn't a formal meeting.
Alisa sits back in her chair, taking a piece of an apple that was split into even pieces. It was on a plate on the table. "Being engaged to the Rose Bride brings about many things."
"Which hasn't happened yet." Chance says, also taking a piece of apple.
"O ye of little faith." Alisa chides. She looks at Jake. "What about you, Major? Will you fight for the Rose Bride?"
Jake stares at the apple. "I don't want to fight."
"Well, somebody has to." Alisa grabs another piece of apple. "It was in the recent letter."
Chance smiles. "All of us need the reason to fight, Commander."
"So true."
Jake looks at the apple...which was nothing more than a plate now. "What happened?"
"Sorry. Ate it all."
**********************************************************
"I have to get that music back..."
Jake exists the elevator, one that lead to the Executive Council's balcony. Clutching his folder, he makes his way through the South tower, where he nearly bumps into a she-kat. He drops his folder.
The she-kat looks at him. "You're being rude, Jake."
"How am I? You got in the way, Azure." Jake kneels to scoop up his folder, and then looks up at his sister.
Lieutenant Azure Clawson, a petite, dark brown she-kat, smiles at him. "So...do you want me to play again?"
"I've given up on you and music." Jake stands up. "And, why are here in the South tower anyway?"
"None of your business! I can go where ever I like." Azure begins to walk away.
Jake sighs, and walks in the opposite direction.
*********************************************************
"Great! I can't believe I failed my weapons certification!"
"Really...Sucks to be you."
Renee laments over her certification, while Feral stares out of his office window. The results of the new, harder weapons certification test were just handed out by Callie.
It seemed that a good portion of the Enforcers failed, as well.
"I've never done this bad before." Renee continues.
"You need a good sense of logic." Feral continues to stare out the window.
"But, my mother always told me, 'that a she-kat can force her logic onto any kat'."
"Oh, yeah?"
I wish I could be a s good as you..."
Feral thrusts a paper in front of Renee's face.
Feral, Ulysses: FAIL
Renee couldn't believe it. "No way...You're really good at certifications."
"I got lazy."
Renee smiles at him. "Shame on you! Maybe you should develop some logic."
"Hey, now." Feral straightens up. "Now I get to retake the test."
"Sucks to be you." Renee laughs, and then she glances at her watch, "Oh, I got to go."
Feral looks at her. "Where?"
"To the Executive Council's music room." Renee grabs her briefcase. "I need to practice this new piano piece."
"Don't you need a partner?"
"Only for the competition." Renee does a little salute. "See ya!"
*****************************************************************
A few minutes later, Renee is crossing the commons at a fast clip. It then dawns on her that she really didn't know where the music room was.
"Great...I really should have found that out." Renee thinks aloud. "Maybe I should go to the Enforcers music room...but, I hate that piano!"
Anything else Renee was thinking was cut off as she collides with something, sending her and her briefcase sprawling to the ground. The contents of her briefcase tumble out as well.
"I'm sorry!" Renee says after regaining her bearings.
"No, it's my fault! I wasn't watching where I was going." A male voice says.
A paw is extended, and helps Renee up. "I'm sorry about that."
"No problem." Renee says, and then sees the kat. "Major Clawson."
"Here, let me help you retrieve your things." Jake starts to pick up some scattered papers. He notices some sheets of music. "Do you play music, ma'am?"
"Yes. The piano." Renee grabs her briefcase.
"Oh! So you're the musician I've heard about that's an Enforcer."
"Am I that well known?"
Jake blushes slightly. "Well..."
Renee continues to stuff papers into her briefcase, oblivious to Jake's blush. "You're a Council member, right? Do you know where the music room is?"
Jake nods. "I can take you there, if you like."
"Yes, please." Jake stands up, and a lone paper flutters down to the ground. Jake picks it up and reads it.
"Hmm... Failure, eh?"
"Oh, no!" Renee blushes a deep red. "How embarrassing! I'm a Lieutenant Commander, for goodness sakes!"
"Hmm... Well, I did warn them that they made it too hard." Jake pulls out his pen and begins to make corrections. "It's almost to the point where you would have to retrain personnel in order to pass it."
Renee blinks. "Huh?"
"If you like ma'am, I could tutor you for the retest. I did help to design it, after all."
"Really?" Renee clasps her paws together. "Thank you!"
This time, Jake's blush is deeper. "It's nothing."
**************************************************************
"Hmm?"
Feral looks out his window, and sees Renee walking toward the South Tower with a kat besides her. One of Feral's majors, a she-kat, walks up to him.
"Who's that kat with Renee?" Feral asks.
"Oh, that's Clawson."
"Clawson?"
"You haven't heard of him, sir?" The major asks. "He's Major Jake Clawson. Head of the Weaponry, and part head of the SWAT Unit of Special Ops."
Feral digests that. "Really."
"He's the handsome kat who fences and plays the piano at the national level." The major continues. "He's also very smart, since he designs a good portion of SWAT's defense machinery."
"Wow."
"He's really popular, even though he's a little young for his rank. But..."
"Hmm?"
The major looks out the window. "He seems really talkative today. That's odd for such a quiet kat."
******************************************************
It was noon, and Epsilon's library was half full.
Jake clicks his pen, and writes on a sheet of paper. Someone taps him on the shoulder.
"Hi."
Jake looks up. "Hey, Chance."
"You weren't at the hangar or the shooting range, so I figured you might be here." Chance looks over Jake's shoulder. "What are you doing? Correcting something?"
"Sort of..."
"Hmm..." Chance smiles a bit. "Unusual for a kat like you to do that. What's the motivation?"
"...Hey, Chance."
"Yeah?"
"Happiness can sometimes be surprisingly close by, can't it?"
"Hmm?" Chance looks at him. "Anyway, that's quite a certification test you've got there. Whose is it?"
***********************************************************
"Just look at all those red marks! Did I really do that bad?"
"Negative, ma'am. It looks worse than it is."
Renee just stares at the corrected certification test while sitting in her office.
"I basically corrected it." Jake continues. "Just be on the lookout out for those tricky problems."
"All right..."
Jake pulls out a notebook and gives it to Renee. "Here are a few problems that I think will be on the makeup test. If you can get through these, then passing the test should be easy."
Renee smiles at him. "Thank you!"
Jake blushes. "It's nothing..."
This time Renee notices it.
**************************************************************
"P-chan and I are going home, Uly-sama. What would you like for dinner?"
"You mean, something other than your usual five course meal?"
Feral puts some papers into his briefcase, eager to go home himself. All he was waiting for is a little chat with Renee.
Callie scratches P-chan behind the ears. "You mean I should make a ten course meal instead?"
"No, no!" Feral chuckles. "You're spoiling me enough already."
Callie smiles. "So...Tuna?"
"That will be fine...huh?"
Feral sees a kat a stepping out of Renee's office. The kat then notices Feral and salutes.
"Commander Feral, I am Major Jake Clawson." Jake says. "Pleased to meet you, sir."
Feral blinks. "You know who I am?"
"Of course! You're all we seem to talk about here lately."
" 'We'?"
"As in this." Jake holds up his left paw and shows his ring.
Feral's expression turns serious. "You're one of them, aren't you? The Executive Council."
Jake takes a step back. "Eh?"
"I suppose you want to fight for the Rose Bride, too."
"No!" Jake shakes his head. " I may be a Council member, I don't want to fight for the Rose Bride! I mean it!"
Renee's office door opens, and Renee herself steps out. "Jake, you left your pen."
"Thank you, ma'am."
Renee smiles at him. "By the way, would you mind playing with me tomorrow in the music room? I'd love to have you as a partner in the competition."
"I'd be honored, ma'am." Jake blushes.
Feral narrows his eyes a bit. "How lucky. I wish I had a tutor."
Jake looks at him. "You? Did you fail you test, too?"
"Eh...Well..." Feral stammers. "...Yes, I did."
*************************************************************
Later that evening, Jake is in the music room, playing the same song.
But, its tone is different.
Alisa MiFurr leans against the wall, listening. "You're playing well today, Major. Your technique isn't as overpowering as it usually is. There's a certain richness to it."
"Thank you, ma'am." Jake's paws pass effortlessly over the keys of the piano.
"Could you have found that 'Sunlit Garden' that you told me about once?"
"Yes...I just may have." Jake smiles. "I feel as though I'm regaining what I lost so long ago..."
Jake stops playing, and pulls out a picture from his notebook.
A picture of Renee.
"How I envy you." Alisa says, looking at him. "If you ever regain that 'Sunlit Garden', please tell me about it."
Outside the room, Kei frowns in concentration. "What do they mean by 'Sunlit Garden'?"
*********************************************************
The next day...
A group of she-kats huddle around the windows of the Executive Council's Fencing Arena. They spot a big kat and smaller kat fencing. They appeared to be tied.
"Look! Look! It's so cool!"
"What's so cool?"
"It's Captain Furlong and Clawson!"
"It's really cool!"
"Isn't it?"
"It's too cool!"
"What did you expect?"
"They both represent Epsilon at the national level!"
"Wow!"
"I believe it!"
"Oh, by the way..."
The two kats still parry each other, waiting for an opening. Chance relaxes a bit, and Jake, sensing an opening, charges.
"Oh!"
Chance tries to parry, but it's too late. Jake's foil touches him square in the chest. He sighs.
The she-kats run off, giggling.
"You finally beat me." Chance pulls off his mask. He then smiles. "You've gotten better."
"No." Jake pulls of his mask. "I still haven't perfected it."
"Your lack of perfection is your strength, Jake." Chance says. "The strength of purity."
Jake blinks. "Huh?"
"You usually carry your sword with a weak strength. That strength seemed to increase a level today."
"Oh."
Chance smiles at him. "Could the reason be the she-kat whose certification you were correcting yesterday?"
Jake blushes. "What...what do you mean?"
"However." Chance starts to walk away. "Your sword isn't ready for battle just yet. Keep practicing."
*******************************************************
Back in the music room, the 'Sunlit Garden' is being played...
But, it isn't Jake playing it.
Paws fumble with the keys of the piano. Then stops.
"I'll never be as good as my brother." Azure sighs.
The petite she-kat slams her paws on the keys in frustration. She then gathers her long, black, braided ponytail and curves it around her neck.
"I'd give anything for those days again...where I could actually be by my brother's side..." Azure presses a few keys.
"Too little, too late." A voice is heard.
"What do you want, Kei." Azure's brown eyes flash.
"I thought you'd like this piece of information." Kei saunters into the music room.
Azure says nothing.
"Fine. Be that way." Kei smirks. "But, I'll tell it anyway."
"Spit it out."
Kei narrows her eyes. "Your brother has a new piano partner. Just thought you'd like to know."
Azure's eyes widen for a moment, then return to normal. "Let me guess...this new piano partner is higher ranked than you."
"What do you mean?"
Azure stands up. "It's obviously someone that you can't bully...like poor Ms. Briggs. You thought you could run and tell me so I could make trouble for my brother. Well, think again."
"Have it your way." Kei shrugs, walking out.
Azure returns her glance to the piano, and closes the cover. "Who am I kidding? It's hopeless."
********************************************************
"Come with me, Jake."
"But, I wanna play..."
"You won't have time for that silly piano, my son. You have to study for school now."
"But, I don't want to! All those kats are bigger than me! I just want to play with my sister!"
"You won't have time for that now. You're a genius. Your talents are best used elsewhere. Now come!"
"But..."
**********************************************************
"I grew up way too fast..."
"Say something?"
"Oh! I'm sorry ma'am. I just lost my place." Jake says, a little flustered.
"We're here." Renee points to a passage of complicated eighth and sixteenth notes.
"Ready when you are." Jake says, holding his paws above the keys.
Renee starts to play, and Jake follows it.
"You can match well." Renee says after a while.
"Thank you...I've had practice."
"Oh?"
"...You remind me of a she-kat I know."
"I hope that's a good thing." Renee says absentmindedly, concentrating on the music.
Jake smiles to himself. "It is."
"Then, I hope she makes a nice girlfriend for you."
Jake stops playing.
**************************************************
"Are we liking younger kats now?"
"He's not that young, Ulysses!"
Feral chuckles a bit as Renee puts papers into her briefcase. "Lower rank, younger kat..."
"Need I remind you of yourself?" Renee fires backs."
"Cease fire! I'm just kidding!" Feral takes a set back.
Renee blushes a little. "He's so shy though...even if he is a genius."
"Just tell him then."
"I don't want to scare him..." Renee looks at her watch. "Oh! I gotta meet with my squad at the Commons! Talk to you later!"
*******************************************************
Later in the afternoon...
Jake is in Callie's garden, staring at the blue roses.
"I have to get that music back..." Jake sighs, still staring at the roses. "Will she ever see me for more than a 'smart' major?"
"Good afternoon, Jake-san." A voice breaks into Jake's thoughts.
Jake turns around. "Hello, Ms. Briggs."
Callie bows to him, and she proceeds to the white and black roses. She begins to water them.
"Your roses are beautiful." Jake says.
"Thank you. Unfortunately, I'll have to close this place for the day soon."
"Oh?"
"Uly-sama wants ice milk for dessert tonight, and it takes a while to fix it."
"Even if it tears you away from the roses?" Jake asks.
Callie smiles at him. "I am the Rose Bride. I must do what my fiancee wants me to do."
Jake blinks, a sudden recollection hitting him.
"*They say the power of the Rose Bride could grant you anything you want.*"
Silently, Jake plucks the blue rose.
******************************************************
"Isn't it great, P-chan? Calico said she'll make ice milk for us! She said it wouldn't take long."
"Buubuu!" P-chan snorts happily as Feral prepares to go home for the day.
"I'd better watch myself...she's spoiling me with all that food...huh?"
Feral sees Jake appear in his office. "Major Clawson...what do I owe the pleasure?"
Jake holds up the blue rose. "Tonight. The Dueling Arena."
Feral steps back. "But, why? You said you didn't want a Duel!"
"The Rose Bride can grant me whatever I want, sir." Jake says. "Do you accept?"
"But, Renee..." Feral starts, but Jake tosses the rose onto Feral's desk and walks out.
**********************************************************
"So...this is what it comes to, Major."
"Yes. I have to get that music back."
Feral faces Jake in the Dueling Arena, with Callie between them. In her gown, she proceeds to pin a blue rose to Jake chest, and then a white and black rose to Feral's. She then takes Feral's side.
"And, for that, I need the Bride...no matter what." Jake continues, clutching his sword.
"I think being at the piano suited you much better." Feral says.
*****************************************************
Upon hearing that, Chance smiles from his South tower perch. He looks at Jake with the opera glasses. "I quite agree."
*****************************************************
Feral sighs, and then looks at Callie, who nods. "Let's go."
"O Rose of the noble castle..." Callie closes her eyes. A sphere of light appears in front of her chest.
"Spirit of Dios that slumbers within..." Callie continues to chant, the sphere of light growing bigger.
"Harken unto thy Master, and reveal to us now..."
Callie falls backwards, where Feral catches her. Within the sphere of light an elaborate hilt of a sword appears. Feral grabs it and begins to extract the sword.
"...the power to Revolutionize the world!"
The clock tower's bell begins to ring, signaling the start of the Duel. Jake grips his sword hilt even harder.
"I'll make the Rose Bride mine!" Jake takes up a fencing stance, one that Feral recognized.
Feral sighs, but takes up fencing stance also. "If that's the way you want it."
Jake charges at Feral, who parries Jake's sword. Jake shakes it off, and continues to jab at Feral. Feral successfully blocks them, but he was being driven backward.
"He's good...better than Steele." Feral thinks out loud, finding himself a little winded.
Jake switches stances, and attacks again. This time, Feral could parry and find a way to slash at him.
"*Not bad.*" Jake thinks, his attacks being parried. "*No wonder Steele was defeated.*"
Both Jake and Feral take a step back. Feral takes a deep breath. Jake smiles. "Very good, sir."
"Thanks for the compliment."
"This will give me Renee for sure."
Feral looks at him. "It will?"
Jake takes a glance at Callie, who was in her usual, unemotional state. "*I just know it...she can give me anything I want! I swear...*"
"*I'll do anything for your music, Renee!*" Jake looks back at Feral, who changes his stance."
"En guard!" Feral takes the initiative and charges at Jake, who charges as well. Feral grips the hilt of the Sword of Dios with both paws, looking for the exact moment to slash at Jake's rose.
"I won't lose this!" Jake shouts. "The Bride will give me Renee!"
Surprisingly, Callie breaks her unemotional state. "That's it, Uly-sama! Get him!"
"What?" Callie's words breaks Jake's concentration. This causes his rose to go unprotected, which get slashed away by Feral.
Blue rose pedals fill the air, and the bells begin to ring. Jake falls to his knees.
"I hope you're happy now." Feral says, walking away.
Jake watches Feral go and sighs. "I'll never reach my Sunlit Garden..."
"Good try."
Jake looks up to see Callie standing before him. She smiles at him.
"I'll make you an ice milk if you like."
******************************************************
The next day...
Azure sits at the piano, still fumbling with the keys. This time, a friend is with her.
"Oh, come on. You uses to play the piano? Even I'm better than that."
Azure laughs. "Well, I never did have the talent for it. Never did like it much either."
"So why did you play?"
Azure smiles. "All I ever did was play with my big brother. Even though I was sloppy with my playing, he could still follow it. He's a genius, you know."
"Wow!"
"But, one day our parents decided that Jake was too smart to continue to play with me. So, we stopped playing." Azure looks sad. "I really miss it."
"Your brother's really cool."
"Yes...he is."
*************************************************************
"So...he challenged me because he wants Renee." Feral was saying to Callie, who was hugging P-chan. "I still don't see why..."
"Commander, sir."
Feral turns to see Jake. "Major."
"I'd like to apolo..."
"There you are!" Renee cuts into Jake's words, running up to him.
"Ma'am?"
"Thanks to you, I passed the retest!" Renee says, then giving Jake a kiss on the cheek. "You're great!"
Renee skips off, and Jake holds his cheek. All Feral could do was roll his eyes.
"Oh, brother..."
To be continued....
Major Jake Clawson, secretary to the Executive Council, is a genius. Not only does he design weapon systems for SWAT, he also fences and plays the piano at the national level. But, what Jake desires the most is to reclaim his "Sunlit Garden". So, why does it cause him to Duel with Feral?
Author's notes: A special thanks to Renee Twist and Alegna for giving me in-depth thoughts to this and other serious. A few of my favorite vic...er Internet friends. ;)
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
***************
Epsilon:
The Sunlit Garden
***************
Being an Executive Council Member has its perks.
The Council had its own facilities. Even though campus policy stated that it was open for all, Council members had first choice.
"I could never match my sister's playing."
Major Jake Clawson sits in the music room at the piano, playing a piece of music...
...that seemed to have no end.
Anyone that hung around the music room knew that Jake played the same piece of music over and over again, by memory. And, today was no exception.
The piano piece was beautiful, yet sad.
Footsteps are heard in the room, and Jake stops playing.
Kei begins to clap. "Your piano playing is so wonderful, Jake! It's the pride of Epsilon."
Jake just sits there.
"Thanks to your performance the other day, the party turned out so wonderfully." Kei continues. "But, why did you drop out of the competition? The admirals were so disappointed."
Jake presses a key. "The piano is off key."
"Oh? It was just tuned this week."
"...Maybe I'm the one that needs tuning." Jake sighs, and resumes playing.
Kei looks at him, and then notices Jake's notebook on top of the piano. "You always play that song when you're alone."
"The truth is, this is the only song that means anything to me." Jake closes his eyes. "Because, if I keep playing, I hope she will hear it."
" 'She'?" Kei asks, picking up Jake's notebook.
"But, I just can't get this song just right. No matter what I do, I can't find the right notes."
"Oh, no! It sounds just fine!" Kei blushes, flipping through the notebook. "It tells me what your feelings are...huh?"
"It's a song about how I can't express what I feel inside."
Kei comes across a picture in Jake's notebook. Her expression turns slightly sour. "What's the song's name?"
" 'The Sunlit Garden'."
**********************************************************
"They say the power of the Rose Bride could grant you anything you want."
"Anything?"
"Anything."
For once, Jake wasn't taking notes. This wasn't a formal meeting.
Alisa sits back in her chair, taking a piece of an apple that was split into even pieces. It was on a plate on the table. "Being engaged to the Rose Bride brings about many things."
"Which hasn't happened yet." Chance says, also taking a piece of apple.
"O ye of little faith." Alisa chides. She looks at Jake. "What about you, Major? Will you fight for the Rose Bride?"
Jake stares at the apple. "I don't want to fight."
"Well, somebody has to." Alisa grabs another piece of apple. "It was in the recent letter."
Chance smiles. "All of us need the reason to fight, Commander."
"So true."
Jake looks at the apple...which was nothing more than a plate now. "What happened?"
"Sorry. Ate it all."
**********************************************************
"I have to get that music back..."
Jake exists the elevator, one that lead to the Executive Council's balcony. Clutching his folder, he makes his way through the South tower, where he nearly bumps into a she-kat. He drops his folder.
The she-kat looks at him. "You're being rude, Jake."
"How am I? You got in the way, Azure." Jake kneels to scoop up his folder, and then looks up at his sister.
Lieutenant Azure Clawson, a petite, dark brown she-kat, smiles at him. "So...do you want me to play again?"
"I've given up on you and music." Jake stands up. "And, why are here in the South tower anyway?"
"None of your business! I can go where ever I like." Azure begins to walk away.
Jake sighs, and walks in the opposite direction.
*********************************************************
"Great! I can't believe I failed my weapons certification!"
"Really...Sucks to be you."
Renee laments over her certification, while Feral stares out of his office window. The results of the new, harder weapons certification test were just handed out by Callie.
It seemed that a good portion of the Enforcers failed, as well.
"I've never done this bad before." Renee continues.
"You need a good sense of logic." Feral continues to stare out the window.
"But, my mother always told me, 'that a she-kat can force her logic onto any kat'."
"Oh, yeah?"
I wish I could be a s good as you..."
Feral thrusts a paper in front of Renee's face.
Feral, Ulysses: FAIL
Renee couldn't believe it. "No way...You're really good at certifications."
"I got lazy."
Renee smiles at him. "Shame on you! Maybe you should develop some logic."
"Hey, now." Feral straightens up. "Now I get to retake the test."
"Sucks to be you." Renee laughs, and then she glances at her watch, "Oh, I got to go."
Feral looks at her. "Where?"
"To the Executive Council's music room." Renee grabs her briefcase. "I need to practice this new piano piece."
"Don't you need a partner?"
"Only for the competition." Renee does a little salute. "See ya!"
*****************************************************************
A few minutes later, Renee is crossing the commons at a fast clip. It then dawns on her that she really didn't know where the music room was.
"Great...I really should have found that out." Renee thinks aloud. "Maybe I should go to the Enforcers music room...but, I hate that piano!"
Anything else Renee was thinking was cut off as she collides with something, sending her and her briefcase sprawling to the ground. The contents of her briefcase tumble out as well.
"I'm sorry!" Renee says after regaining her bearings.
"No, it's my fault! I wasn't watching where I was going." A male voice says.
A paw is extended, and helps Renee up. "I'm sorry about that."
"No problem." Renee says, and then sees the kat. "Major Clawson."
"Here, let me help you retrieve your things." Jake starts to pick up some scattered papers. He notices some sheets of music. "Do you play music, ma'am?"
"Yes. The piano." Renee grabs her briefcase.
"Oh! So you're the musician I've heard about that's an Enforcer."
"Am I that well known?"
Jake blushes slightly. "Well..."
Renee continues to stuff papers into her briefcase, oblivious to Jake's blush. "You're a Council member, right? Do you know where the music room is?"
Jake nods. "I can take you there, if you like."
"Yes, please." Jake stands up, and a lone paper flutters down to the ground. Jake picks it up and reads it.
"Hmm... Failure, eh?"
"Oh, no!" Renee blushes a deep red. "How embarrassing! I'm a Lieutenant Commander, for goodness sakes!"
"Hmm... Well, I did warn them that they made it too hard." Jake pulls out his pen and begins to make corrections. "It's almost to the point where you would have to retrain personnel in order to pass it."
Renee blinks. "Huh?"
"If you like ma'am, I could tutor you for the retest. I did help to design it, after all."
"Really?" Renee clasps her paws together. "Thank you!"
This time, Jake's blush is deeper. "It's nothing."
**************************************************************
"Hmm?"
Feral looks out his window, and sees Renee walking toward the South Tower with a kat besides her. One of Feral's majors, a she-kat, walks up to him.
"Who's that kat with Renee?" Feral asks.
"Oh, that's Clawson."
"Clawson?"
"You haven't heard of him, sir?" The major asks. "He's Major Jake Clawson. Head of the Weaponry, and part head of the SWAT Unit of Special Ops."
Feral digests that. "Really."
"He's the handsome kat who fences and plays the piano at the national level." The major continues. "He's also very smart, since he designs a good portion of SWAT's defense machinery."
"Wow."
"He's really popular, even though he's a little young for his rank. But..."
"Hmm?"
The major looks out the window. "He seems really talkative today. That's odd for such a quiet kat."
******************************************************
It was noon, and Epsilon's library was half full.
Jake clicks his pen, and writes on a sheet of paper. Someone taps him on the shoulder.
"Hi."
Jake looks up. "Hey, Chance."
"You weren't at the hangar or the shooting range, so I figured you might be here." Chance looks over Jake's shoulder. "What are you doing? Correcting something?"
"Sort of..."
"Hmm..." Chance smiles a bit. "Unusual for a kat like you to do that. What's the motivation?"
"...Hey, Chance."
"Yeah?"
"Happiness can sometimes be surprisingly close by, can't it?"
"Hmm?" Chance looks at him. "Anyway, that's quite a certification test you've got there. Whose is it?"
***********************************************************
"Just look at all those red marks! Did I really do that bad?"
"Negative, ma'am. It looks worse than it is."
Renee just stares at the corrected certification test while sitting in her office.
"I basically corrected it." Jake continues. "Just be on the lookout out for those tricky problems."
"All right..."
Jake pulls out a notebook and gives it to Renee. "Here are a few problems that I think will be on the makeup test. If you can get through these, then passing the test should be easy."
Renee smiles at him. "Thank you!"
Jake blushes. "It's nothing..."
This time Renee notices it.
**************************************************************
"P-chan and I are going home, Uly-sama. What would you like for dinner?"
"You mean, something other than your usual five course meal?"
Feral puts some papers into his briefcase, eager to go home himself. All he was waiting for is a little chat with Renee.
Callie scratches P-chan behind the ears. "You mean I should make a ten course meal instead?"
"No, no!" Feral chuckles. "You're spoiling me enough already."
Callie smiles. "So...Tuna?"
"That will be fine...huh?"
Feral sees a kat a stepping out of Renee's office. The kat then notices Feral and salutes.
"Commander Feral, I am Major Jake Clawson." Jake says. "Pleased to meet you, sir."
Feral blinks. "You know who I am?"
"Of course! You're all we seem to talk about here lately."
" 'We'?"
"As in this." Jake holds up his left paw and shows his ring.
Feral's expression turns serious. "You're one of them, aren't you? The Executive Council."
Jake takes a step back. "Eh?"
"I suppose you want to fight for the Rose Bride, too."
"No!" Jake shakes his head. " I may be a Council member, I don't want to fight for the Rose Bride! I mean it!"
Renee's office door opens, and Renee herself steps out. "Jake, you left your pen."
"Thank you, ma'am."
Renee smiles at him. "By the way, would you mind playing with me tomorrow in the music room? I'd love to have you as a partner in the competition."
"I'd be honored, ma'am." Jake blushes.
Feral narrows his eyes a bit. "How lucky. I wish I had a tutor."
Jake looks at him. "You? Did you fail you test, too?"
"Eh...Well..." Feral stammers. "...Yes, I did."
*************************************************************
Later that evening, Jake is in the music room, playing the same song.
But, its tone is different.
Alisa MiFurr leans against the wall, listening. "You're playing well today, Major. Your technique isn't as overpowering as it usually is. There's a certain richness to it."
"Thank you, ma'am." Jake's paws pass effortlessly over the keys of the piano.
"Could you have found that 'Sunlit Garden' that you told me about once?"
"Yes...I just may have." Jake smiles. "I feel as though I'm regaining what I lost so long ago..."
Jake stops playing, and pulls out a picture from his notebook.
A picture of Renee.
"How I envy you." Alisa says, looking at him. "If you ever regain that 'Sunlit Garden', please tell me about it."
Outside the room, Kei frowns in concentration. "What do they mean by 'Sunlit Garden'?"
*********************************************************
The next day...
A group of she-kats huddle around the windows of the Executive Council's Fencing Arena. They spot a big kat and smaller kat fencing. They appeared to be tied.
"Look! Look! It's so cool!"
"What's so cool?"
"It's Captain Furlong and Clawson!"
"It's really cool!"
"Isn't it?"
"It's too cool!"
"What did you expect?"
"They both represent Epsilon at the national level!"
"Wow!"
"I believe it!"
"Oh, by the way..."
The two kats still parry each other, waiting for an opening. Chance relaxes a bit, and Jake, sensing an opening, charges.
"Oh!"
Chance tries to parry, but it's too late. Jake's foil touches him square in the chest. He sighs.
The she-kats run off, giggling.
"You finally beat me." Chance pulls off his mask. He then smiles. "You've gotten better."
"No." Jake pulls of his mask. "I still haven't perfected it."
"Your lack of perfection is your strength, Jake." Chance says. "The strength of purity."
Jake blinks. "Huh?"
"You usually carry your sword with a weak strength. That strength seemed to increase a level today."
"Oh."
Chance smiles at him. "Could the reason be the she-kat whose certification you were correcting yesterday?"
Jake blushes. "What...what do you mean?"
"However." Chance starts to walk away. "Your sword isn't ready for battle just yet. Keep practicing."
*******************************************************
Back in the music room, the 'Sunlit Garden' is being played...
But, it isn't Jake playing it.
Paws fumble with the keys of the piano. Then stops.
"I'll never be as good as my brother." Azure sighs.
The petite she-kat slams her paws on the keys in frustration. She then gathers her long, black, braided ponytail and curves it around her neck.
"I'd give anything for those days again...where I could actually be by my brother's side..." Azure presses a few keys.
"Too little, too late." A voice is heard.
"What do you want, Kei." Azure's brown eyes flash.
"I thought you'd like this piece of information." Kei saunters into the music room.
Azure says nothing.
"Fine. Be that way." Kei smirks. "But, I'll tell it anyway."
"Spit it out."
Kei narrows her eyes. "Your brother has a new piano partner. Just thought you'd like to know."
Azure's eyes widen for a moment, then return to normal. "Let me guess...this new piano partner is higher ranked than you."
"What do you mean?"
Azure stands up. "It's obviously someone that you can't bully...like poor Ms. Briggs. You thought you could run and tell me so I could make trouble for my brother. Well, think again."
"Have it your way." Kei shrugs, walking out.
Azure returns her glance to the piano, and closes the cover. "Who am I kidding? It's hopeless."
********************************************************
"Come with me, Jake."
"But, I wanna play..."
"You won't have time for that silly piano, my son. You have to study for school now."
"But, I don't want to! All those kats are bigger than me! I just want to play with my sister!"
"You won't have time for that now. You're a genius. Your talents are best used elsewhere. Now come!"
"But..."
**********************************************************
"I grew up way too fast..."
"Say something?"
"Oh! I'm sorry ma'am. I just lost my place." Jake says, a little flustered.
"We're here." Renee points to a passage of complicated eighth and sixteenth notes.
"Ready when you are." Jake says, holding his paws above the keys.
Renee starts to play, and Jake follows it.
"You can match well." Renee says after a while.
"Thank you...I've had practice."
"Oh?"
"...You remind me of a she-kat I know."
"I hope that's a good thing." Renee says absentmindedly, concentrating on the music.
Jake smiles to himself. "It is."
"Then, I hope she makes a nice girlfriend for you."
Jake stops playing.
**************************************************
"Are we liking younger kats now?"
"He's not that young, Ulysses!"
Feral chuckles a bit as Renee puts papers into her briefcase. "Lower rank, younger kat..."
"Need I remind you of yourself?" Renee fires backs."
"Cease fire! I'm just kidding!" Feral takes a set back.
Renee blushes a little. "He's so shy though...even if he is a genius."
"Just tell him then."
"I don't want to scare him..." Renee looks at her watch. "Oh! I gotta meet with my squad at the Commons! Talk to you later!"
*******************************************************
Later in the afternoon...
Jake is in Callie's garden, staring at the blue roses.
"I have to get that music back..." Jake sighs, still staring at the roses. "Will she ever see me for more than a 'smart' major?"
"Good afternoon, Jake-san." A voice breaks into Jake's thoughts.
Jake turns around. "Hello, Ms. Briggs."
Callie bows to him, and she proceeds to the white and black roses. She begins to water them.
"Your roses are beautiful." Jake says.
"Thank you. Unfortunately, I'll have to close this place for the day soon."
"Oh?"
"Uly-sama wants ice milk for dessert tonight, and it takes a while to fix it."
"Even if it tears you away from the roses?" Jake asks.
Callie smiles at him. "I am the Rose Bride. I must do what my fiancee wants me to do."
Jake blinks, a sudden recollection hitting him.
"*They say the power of the Rose Bride could grant you anything you want.*"
Silently, Jake plucks the blue rose.
******************************************************
"Isn't it great, P-chan? Calico said she'll make ice milk for us! She said it wouldn't take long."
"Buubuu!" P-chan snorts happily as Feral prepares to go home for the day.
"I'd better watch myself...she's spoiling me with all that food...huh?"
Feral sees Jake appear in his office. "Major Clawson...what do I owe the pleasure?"
Jake holds up the blue rose. "Tonight. The Dueling Arena."
Feral steps back. "But, why? You said you didn't want a Duel!"
"The Rose Bride can grant me whatever I want, sir." Jake says. "Do you accept?"
"But, Renee..." Feral starts, but Jake tosses the rose onto Feral's desk and walks out.
**********************************************************
"So...this is what it comes to, Major."
"Yes. I have to get that music back."
Feral faces Jake in the Dueling Arena, with Callie between them. In her gown, she proceeds to pin a blue rose to Jake chest, and then a white and black rose to Feral's. She then takes Feral's side.
"And, for that, I need the Bride...no matter what." Jake continues, clutching his sword.
"I think being at the piano suited you much better." Feral says.
*****************************************************
Upon hearing that, Chance smiles from his South tower perch. He looks at Jake with the opera glasses. "I quite agree."
*****************************************************
Feral sighs, and then looks at Callie, who nods. "Let's go."
"O Rose of the noble castle..." Callie closes her eyes. A sphere of light appears in front of her chest.
"Spirit of Dios that slumbers within..." Callie continues to chant, the sphere of light growing bigger.
"Harken unto thy Master, and reveal to us now..."
Callie falls backwards, where Feral catches her. Within the sphere of light an elaborate hilt of a sword appears. Feral grabs it and begins to extract the sword.
"...the power to Revolutionize the world!"
The clock tower's bell begins to ring, signaling the start of the Duel. Jake grips his sword hilt even harder.
"I'll make the Rose Bride mine!" Jake takes up a fencing stance, one that Feral recognized.
Feral sighs, but takes up fencing stance also. "If that's the way you want it."
Jake charges at Feral, who parries Jake's sword. Jake shakes it off, and continues to jab at Feral. Feral successfully blocks them, but he was being driven backward.
"He's good...better than Steele." Feral thinks out loud, finding himself a little winded.
Jake switches stances, and attacks again. This time, Feral could parry and find a way to slash at him.
"*Not bad.*" Jake thinks, his attacks being parried. "*No wonder Steele was defeated.*"
Both Jake and Feral take a step back. Feral takes a deep breath. Jake smiles. "Very good, sir."
"Thanks for the compliment."
"This will give me Renee for sure."
Feral looks at him. "It will?"
Jake takes a glance at Callie, who was in her usual, unemotional state. "*I just know it...she can give me anything I want! I swear...*"
"*I'll do anything for your music, Renee!*" Jake looks back at Feral, who changes his stance."
"En guard!" Feral takes the initiative and charges at Jake, who charges as well. Feral grips the hilt of the Sword of Dios with both paws, looking for the exact moment to slash at Jake's rose.
"I won't lose this!" Jake shouts. "The Bride will give me Renee!"
Surprisingly, Callie breaks her unemotional state. "That's it, Uly-sama! Get him!"
"What?" Callie's words breaks Jake's concentration. This causes his rose to go unprotected, which get slashed away by Feral.
Blue rose pedals fill the air, and the bells begin to ring. Jake falls to his knees.
"I hope you're happy now." Feral says, walking away.
Jake watches Feral go and sighs. "I'll never reach my Sunlit Garden..."
"Good try."
Jake looks up to see Callie standing before him. She smiles at him.
"I'll make you an ice milk if you like."
******************************************************
The next day...
Azure sits at the piano, still fumbling with the keys. This time, a friend is with her.
"Oh, come on. You uses to play the piano? Even I'm better than that."
Azure laughs. "Well, I never did have the talent for it. Never did like it much either."
"So why did you play?"
Azure smiles. "All I ever did was play with my big brother. Even though I was sloppy with my playing, he could still follow it. He's a genius, you know."
"Wow!"
"But, one day our parents decided that Jake was too smart to continue to play with me. So, we stopped playing." Azure looks sad. "I really miss it."
"Your brother's really cool."
"Yes...he is."
*************************************************************
"So...he challenged me because he wants Renee." Feral was saying to Callie, who was hugging P-chan. "I still don't see why..."
"Commander, sir."
Feral turns to see Jake. "Major."
"I'd like to apolo..."
"There you are!" Renee cuts into Jake's words, running up to him.
"Ma'am?"
"Thanks to you, I passed the retest!" Renee says, then giving Jake a kiss on the cheek. "You're great!"
Renee skips off, and Jake holds his cheek. All Feral could do was roll his eyes.
"Oh, brother..."
To be continued....