Ni-hao! This is "Theories of Love."

It is now recertification time, and two couples confront their evolving relationships. Jake and Renee deal with external influences while Feral and Callie find themselves experiencing new feelings. What will become of them?

Author's note: Sorry for the delay! I was busy with school.

If you haven't noticed, there is a ratings change to PG-13. This gives me a little bit more flexibility when I go deeper into this Saga.

Special thanks to Alegna, Renee Twist (with Timmy) and KS Claw for their valuable help when I drill them about my stories XD

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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Epsilon: Death Rose Saga

Theories For Love

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It is now past midterms at Epsilon Academy.

Spring is in the air. Recertification is fast approaching, and officers feverishly study.

The nights are cool and pleasant. And, at Feral's dorm, as well as Jake's, thoughts and feelings were changing like the seasons....

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

"Buu..."

P-chan sleeps soundly on top of Feral's head, his new favorite resting spot. And, despite Callie having her own bed, she elected to start sleeping with Feral in his. It lead to Feral feeling cramped somewhat. But, for some reason, he didn't mind.

Not that you would get him to admit it.

Now, Callie lays her head against Feral's chest, listening to him sleep. She was wide-awake herself, but she continues to snuggle up against him.

"I must do the will of the Champion..."

Callie looks up at Feral's face, but he was still asleep. She sighs.

"But...what if my will is the same as yours?"

Feral continues to sleep, and Callie closes her eyes.

"Will you ever see me as your fiancée. Uly-sama?"

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

The next day...

"I'm done."

Feral sits his knife and fork down on his plate while Callie sips her tea.

"Buu!" P-chan eats a piece of watermelon.

"Hey, P-chan...You got to stop sleeping on my head!" Feral drinks his coffee.

P-chan looks up from his piece of watermelon. "Buu?"

"I know you like it and all, but..." Feral looks up to see Callie staring at her tea. "What's wrong, Callie? You're quiet this morning."

"Mmm?" Callie looks up as well. "Oh...it's nothing, Uly-sama."

"Really? Now that I think about it, I thought I heard your voice in my dreams."

Callie perks up a bit. "Oh?"

"...But then I started dreaming about this sushi dish I had..."

"...I see..."

Feral looks at her. "Are you sure nothing is wrong?"

Callie looks down. "Uly-sama..."

"Hmm?"

"Do you...Do you love me?"

Feral is taken aback. "Huh?"

The clock tower begins to ring, and Callie stands up. "...It's nothing...Forgive me...We'd better go if you don't want to be late to your meetings, Uly-sama."

Feral nods, still a little shaken, while Callie leaves the room. P-chan looks at him, his belly full.

"Do I...love your mistress, P-chan?"

P-chan blinks. "Buu?"

"I don't know...what I feel..."

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

Later...

On sunny days, officers liked to eat lunch in the large, open air cafeteria. That way, they could enjoy looking at the commons area.

Today, Jake sits with Renee. Jake tears into his tuna sandwich, while Renee picks at her fruit salad.

"It's going to be a busy couple of weeks." Jake says, putting his sandwich down. "The piano competition and the fencing regionals happen virtually at the same time!"

"Mmm, hmm..." Renee says sleepily, twirling her fork.

"Chance is so lucky. He got a bye this time since he's the national champion."

"Mmm, hmm..."

"I have to go through the regionals all over again, even though I placed third...and, we have the piano competition right after that."

"Mmm, hmm..."

Jake looks up at Renee, who looked like she was dozing. "...Renee?"

"Hmm?" Renee snaps back into reality. "Oh! I'm sorry, Jake. I didn't mean to ignore you."

Jake looks at her. "You look tired."

"I am." Renee sighs. "My roommate snores, and I couldn't get any sleep. Plus, now that it's recertification time, I have to make sure the new recruits know the ropes."

"I thought officers could have their own room."

Renee looks down. "I could...but I couldn't afford it."

Jake clicks his pen.

"I see..." Jake says.

Renee brightens for a moment and smiles. "I think I'll go take a nap in my office. Call me later, Jake."

Renee stands up and walks away, leaving her fruit salad untouched. Jake stares at his own food.

"Renee...."

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

"It's like I'm at Delta all over again..."

Renee leans against a wall, making sure she was out of Jake's line of sight. She sighs.

"Everyone there had so much money...everyone was special..."

Renee observes Callie in the greenhouse, tending to her roses.

"I want to be special..."

"...And, with you Jake...I am special..."

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

"If it cannot break its shell, the chick will die without being born."

"We are the chick."

"The world is our egg."

"If we don't break the World's shell, we will die without truly being born."

"Smash the World's Shell!"

"For the revolution of the world!"

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

At the meeting area, Jake and Chance sit around the table. Chance reads a book while Jake takes notes. Kei stands up.

"So, has there been any activity with the Death Rose Duelists?"

"No. Nobody has challenged the Champion for a while now." Jake says, scribbling notes. "It's really odd."

"What's odd is that they to kill the Rose Bride." Chance casually flips a page in his book. "Where do they get the motivation?"

"If you ask me, it's pretty easy." Kei crosses her arms. "She's too weird. Anyone would want to kill her."

Chance glares at Kei over his book. "Watch it, Lieutenant."

"Whatever."

Jake was still writing, so Chance takes a peek at his notes. "What are you doing?"

"Chance...you're over the housing assignments, right?"

"Yeah...but the Commander always had the final say. Since she's been gone, it has passed to Lt. Saiko, her assistant."

Jake looks up. "Are there any single rooms left?"

"Plenty. Why?"

Jake sits back in his chair. "I want to get Renee her own room. The competition's coming up and she needs her rest."

"Then why can't she apply for it like everyone else?" Kei snorts. "I thought officers can have their own rooms...unless..."

Jake says nothing. A smile emerges on Kei's face.

"...She can't afford one!" Kei nearly jumps up and down. "I knew it! She's a commoner!"

Jake clicks his pen.

"Lieutenant!" Jake clenches his pen hard, but Kei is oblivious to it.

"This is rich! Little Miss Renee Hunter is just a scholarship case! I have her beat!"

Kei exits the meeting area in a flash. Jake sighs deeply.

"I'll get her the room, Jake." Chance speaks up.

"Huh?" Jake looks at him. "You will?"

"But, it will take some time."

"It's better than her current situation."

"By the way, what are you going to do in the meantime? I know that piano competition is important."

"Well..." Jake looks up towards the sky. "I was thinking that she could stay with me. Azure is abroad right now, so it shouldn't be a problem."

Chance stares at him. "Umm...Where?"

"In my room..."

"Jake," Chance puts his book down and leans across the table, "Do you know what that means to a she-kat?"

"Nothing...right?" Jake scratches his head.

Chance smiles and stands up. "Well...Let's just say that you won't be that innocent anymore."

Jake clicks his pen as Chance walks away. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You'll see." Chance enters the elevator and disappears.

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

Later still...

"Are you alright, Renee?"

"No, I'm not."

Feral perches himself on Renee's desk while Callie arranges flowers in a vase. Renee rubs her eyes.

"Roommate snoring again?" Feral asks.

"Yes. I can hear her through the walls. She's especially loud around recertification time." Renee yawns. "I wish my piano competition didn't have to happen at the same time. Jake is counting on me."

"I'm sure he does..."

"Do I detect a smirk in your voice, sir?"

"Major Clawson is an excellent officer." Feral says. "All he needs is a push in the right direction, Renee."

"I know. That's why I'm going to have to take the initiative." Renee stands up, gathering her things.

Feral nods. "So, in the meantime, why don't you come stay with..."

"Uly-sama! Don't forget we have tea with mother later." Callie interrupts, turning her attention away from the vase.

"That's right. But..."

"Well, I'll be going now." Renee picks up her briefcase. "See you later!"

Feral waves a little as Renee leaves the room. "Oh! I meant to ask her to stay with us in the meantime. We have plenty of room."

Callie smiles. "Uly-sama, don't interfere with love."

"Huh? How could I do that?"

"You'll see."

Callie turns to leave the office, but Feral places a paw on her arm. "Callie..."

"Yes?"

Feral looks into her eyes. "...Did you want an answer to your question?"

"Uly-sama..." Callie's eyes flicker for a moment, but returns to normal. "We...We should be seeing my mother now. It's getting late."

Callie walks out of the office, and all Feral could do is sigh.

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

"Alex...please! Don't assign Renee Hunter to a private room!"

"You expect me to say no to Major Furlong? I have to!"

Kei pouts as she sits in front of Lieutenant Alexander Saiko's desk. The silver furred kat crosses his arm. While they were of the same rank, Alex had seniority over her...but Kei had her sister's influence. Alex also had the distinction of being one of Kei's few friends. The others were lackeys.

"It's not fair! Jake doesn't belong with the likes of her. She's common!"

Alex looks at her. "You like him?"

"I've liked him ever since I saw him play at Epsilon's opening ceremonies." Kei looks dreamy. "But what he sees in Renee is beyond me."

"Because the almighty Jake Clawson is brilliant and can leap tall buildings in a single bound..." Alex mumbles under his breath.

"...Say something?"

"Nope. Just figuring out my workload."

Kei nods, standing up while she fishes an envelope out of her purse. "By the way, I'm throwing a party next week. I hope you'll be able to come."

"Of course." Alex stands up as well.

"It's a formal affair, so were your best...and...That's it!"

"What's it?"

Kei gets a sparkle in her eyes. "I know how to prove to Jake once and for all how common Renee is! Got to go!"

"Now wait a minute..." Alex starts to protest, but the she-kat was out of the door.

"Oh, man..."

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

"I wonder...if those two can really get together..."

"What are we talking about?"

Feral snaps out of his thoughts to look at Camilla, who had put her teacup down. Callie had linked arms with Feral on the couch, and snuggled up against him as well.

"Ah. I was just thinking about my friend." Feral looks down at his tea. "You see, she and this kat seem on the verge of being a couple. The problem is that he's shy, and my friend has to take the initiative. If they could get over some hurdles, I'm sure he's the Knight she's been waiting for."

Camilla smiles. "How lovely. I love tales like this."

"I'm sorry. I seem to be doing all the talking here." Feral says, pausing to sip his tea.

"I don't mind."

Feral continues to drink his tea.

"But, Commander..."

"Hmm?" Feral looks up.

"A kat's heart is lined with fine silk. You may seem to be able to look through it, but you can't."

"Ah..."

"The Knight kat's hold in their hearts is surely something no other kat could understand. You may never truly know what is inside a kat's heart."

Feral stares at his cup for a moment. "I see..."

"But, I envy kat's in love." Camilla turns to Callie. "I know you found the Knight of your dreams, Callie."

Callie smiles and snuggles up even closer to Feral as he blushes.

"Yes, mother!"

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

Later...

"Renee Hunter's room?"

"Down the hall, sir. Last door."

Whispers followed Jake as he made his way to Renee's room in the North dorms. An Executive Council member never made calls to the dorms of the Enforcers. Now kats wondered what was really going between their Lieutenant Commander and the Major.

Jake finally makes it Renee's door, taking a deep breath.

"*I hope this goes okay...*" Jake thinks as he knocks on Renee's door.

"Who is it?" Renee's voice comes through the door.

"It's me, Jake."

"Jake? Just a moment."

A few seconds later, the door opens to reveal the she-kat. Renee was still in her uniform, although she let her hair down. Jake gulps.

"What brings you by?" Renee asks, unsure about why Jake had arrived.

"Is your roommate here?" Jake whispers, aware that some officers had started to appear.

"No..."

"Good. I have a proposal for you."

Renee blinks. "A proposal?"

"Since the piano competition was coming up, I was thinking..." Jake pauses, trying to squelch the butterflies in his stomach.

"Yes?"

"...Would you like...to stay with me?"

Renee blinks, blushing a bright red. "You...want me to..."

"I know it might be a little cramped but at least you'll be able to sleep." Jake looks at Renee, who was still blushing. "So..."

"...I'll pack."

"Huh?"

"Come in and sit down while I pack." Renee grabs Jake by the arm and half drags into her room.

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

That night...

"I'm so sore... Whose idea was it to do endurance testing at the end of the day?"

"Yours, Uly-sama."

Feral sighs as he takes off his overcoat. He could barely move. Callie sits on the bed with P-chan.

"All I want is a hot bath." Feral drags himself to the door. "See you later."

Feral leaves, leaving Callie to her thoughts. P-chan starts to doze as Callie suddenly smiles.

"What do you think, P-chan? Does he really want it?"

"Buu..." P-chan snorts softly.

Callie sits for a moment, but then stands up and leaves the room as well.

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

"Never again!"

Feral relaxes somewhat in a hot bath. His body still ached, but at least he felt better.

"I have to find a way to get my officers ready for recertification. This is going to kill me..." Feral pauses as he hears the door click. He looks up. "Ca-Calico?"

Callie closes the door behind her, and then turns to face Feral. She was wearing a short robe, with P-chan sleeping in of the pockets. Feral couldn't help but blush.

"What-What are you doing?"

"Hmm?" Callie looks puzzled. "Didn't you want me to scrub your back?"

"I didn't say anything of the sort!" Feral says, embarrassed.

"But...Didn't you *will* it?"

"It's... not Knightly." Feral looks away. "That's taking advantage of the situation, and it's not noble."

Callie says nothing, walking closer to Feral. He sighs.

"Nobility is all I have left...to become the Knight I want to be...and to protect you..."

"Uly-sama..." Callie places a paw along Feral's face. "What if...What if it is my will, too?"

"Callie..."

"So...Can I scrub your back?"

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

"Wow...This is your dorm, Jake?"

"Yes. I've had it since I became a Councilmember."

Renee takes a cursory look around Jake's dorm while he sits some suitcases down. Renee was still a bit overwhelmed.

"I'm still a bit surprised that you asked me to stay with you." Renee blushes a little.

"It's the least I can do. You're my partner." Jake says.

Renee chuckles. "So...where do I stay?"

"Well, there are only two bedrooms. So..."

"...I stay with you?"

Now it was Jake's time to blush. "Well...I could sleep elsewhere..."

"No. I don't mind." Renee shakes her head. "Besides, it could be fun."

"...Fun?"

Renee smiles at him. "Jake, you really need to watch your wording. A lot could be inferred, you know."

"That's what Chance said! I wish he would just tell me..."

Renee continues to smile, and starts to give Jake a scratch behind the ears. "When our relationship progresses far enough, you'll find out. I promise."

"...Really?" Jake manages to get out.

"Mmm, hmm." Renee stops scratching Jake's ears. "So take me to your room."

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

Feral never expected this to happen.

His plan of testing his officer's endurance and stamina by running the obstacle course repeatedly ended with disaster. All he wanted was a nice hot bath to soothe his sore muscles.

He got the bath that he wanted...but he also got a sleepy P-chan resting on his head while Callie happily scrubbed his back for him.

He didn't mind his back scrub so much...but next time he vowed to keep better control of his keeping thoughts to himself.

They were now back in the bedroom, and P-chan was still on Feral's head.



"Buu..." P-chan snorts sleepily.

"Okay...Okay...So maybe I wanted a back scrub...but that's it!" Feral says after awhile.

"Really?" Callie asks.

"Yes, really!"

Callie smiles, and takes P-chan off of Feral's head. "Uly-sama, don't be so hard on yourself."

"Huh?"

"Don't deny what you feel out of respect for your nobility. You can have both." Callie says quietly. "Because...like you...I am torn."

Feral looks at her. "Torn?"

Callie turns away. "It's nothing. We should go to bed now, and..."

"Callie..." Feral grabs Callie's paw.

"Yes?"

"Don't deny your true self, either."

"Uly-sama..."

Feral draws Callie back closer to him...and kisses her.

To be continued...