lol, i love the back and forth dialogue you write in this story! the exchange between everyone right before Okita head-bumped Saito was hilarious. I literally laughed out loud.

This was such a wonderful chapter. I absolutely loved how you described the part about "whispers on the wind"... absolutely beautiful. It was also nice to read about them calling each other by their first names. Almost no one ever calls him Hajime, and it was really nice. One of the others things I loved about this chapter was the clash between her father's and society's ideas of love and honor, and her's and Hajime's =). I think i might just call him Hajime from now on... The ambiguity is something I think about often, and it's great to read about. Confusing too, but you just have to go with it. Your descriptions on everything are wonderful though, you did a great job.

aww, yay! (lol, i can almost hear saitou saying, "ahou ga" to my cooing right now... which i think means idiot, but i haven't looked it up yet). i'm so glad they don't have her engagement to worry about anymore! it's hard to picture saitou being so affectionate and kissing still, but so cute. i really love this.

I love how you describe Saitou and Tokio's interactions. It's so true to Saitou's character. Especially when he was holding her so tightly that it hurt...I thought that was a really good description, because it belied Saitou's almost incorrigible stern demeanor, even with the woman he loves so dearly. They are really cute together. And I know that cute isn't quite the word, but, ah well, that's what I've come up with this time.

This is a fantastic story. You're a really wonderful writer!

I really love this. It's written so intelligently and poetically. I'm completely blown away by the realism of the plot, with all the historical references. And your character description of Saito is flawless. Tokio seems to be perfect for him already--I love her! Her little escapade for freedom was so free-spirited and charming, and I like how Saito is so cynical about women, and yet...she's completely different from his caricature of them. You've made me really interested in their relationship, and the Shinsengumi with this fiction. I'm also super-psyched about the 28 chapters of this! Awesome, awesome job. I have nothing but praise! (as you have read... haha)

i really admire the attention to historical detail. very impressive

Wow-! I can't tell you how pleased I was to find this sitting in my inbox! I'm so pleased to see that you're still working on it! It has always been one of my favs, after all. ^^

Now, onto the actual review! I'm so happy that you decided to reunite Tokio and Saitou in such a fluffy manner. I was awfully saddened for the pair in the previous chapters, considering their misunderstanding and what not, so them getting back together made the closet romantic inside me REALLY happy. And, to add to my joy, you "thickened" the plot, so to speak. I can't wait to see how you deal with Itou and all of the drama that he entails. ^^ Anys, great update-! I can't wait for more-!

Your writing is, as always, so beautiful, and the historical accents you add to this story make it truly unique and outstanding.

I caught a couple of errors:

near the beginning -- "… Did you miss me[,] Tokio?"
and a few other similar missing commas.

"Although he had no interest per [se] in women’s trinkets--"

Very glad to see that you're still writing this. Thank you~!

Good afternoon!

I don't want to write a full review before I've finished reading the story to the point to which it has been written by now, but even though I've only read those few chapters I must say that I'm impressed by your writing skills. Very impressed.

Give me history!

You make some stuff I read about in history books far more easy to be comprehended. Thank you very much for this.

As for Funa Benkei... In Peace Maker Kurogane there is that weird subplot of one of the court nobles conspiring with an onmyouji (Or is it onmyoujo? It's one of those words I keep forgetting. *sigh*) and a ghost is sent to attack some Shinsengumi members. I seem to recall that there is a similar scene in either Mibu Gishi Den or Gohatto, so are there any legends about such an occurence? The only version of the Shinsengumi tv series I might watch here in Germany would be streamed via animecrazy and the quality is deplorable, so I haven't watched it yet, even though I itch to do so.

Keep up the excellent work!

Wheelwright

I have to say this is a good story. My only fault with it is the characterization of Saito. I am not convinced that he really wants Tokio or even cares about her. In all honest this seems to be a story about two different people, not a story about a couple. He comes across that it is simply his job to protect her with a slight desire to posses her. My interpretation of Saito has always been a cocky personality, but also with a good amount of sex appeal to him, if that makes any sense, he has an aura that intimidates everyone, even at times Kenshin Himura.

Thats just what I think. Thanks for reading the comment.

I would login and send a review but is being stupid saying that I have already sent a review for this chapter. I just want to say how happy I am that you have updated!! I was so happy that I couldn't stop smiling for you see I really love your story and if it was a novel I would buy it.

This chapter has others have said is worth the wait. :) I love the interaction between Saitou and Tokio as they realize thier love. I especially love the way Okita and Sato tease Tokio about Saitou coming into her room late at night. I am hoping that Okita makes full recovery (even though I know historically he dies) but hes Saitou's friend and they have a wierd understanding.

I was devasted when I read that Hakubaikou had died and I am sure she would have liked that you dedicated your story to her. :)

I have also started to reread your story and though I still love it, I have to be honest and say I liked the old version better.

I absolutely LOVE this story. Saito has grown on me since I began to rewatch/read rurouni kenshin series. I also just picked up a book on the Shinsengumi, so I love how you are using historics in this story as well. I cannot wait for the next chapater, that is for sure.

I cannot begin to describe how happy I am to see you back! This story has always been my number one fanfic since, well, ever and I have read it from beginning to the latest chapter countless times, always wishing for more! So it's not an understatement to say I jumped on my chair upon realizing you had updated...

I always love a romantic story based on history, and this one embodies just that. Combined with great characters and a style of writing that I personally like, well.. let's just say I was addicted from the start. I truly respect the amount of research and work you put into this. I could go on with the praises.

But, great job, again! I can't wait for the next update.

Also, so sad to hear about Hakubaikou. She was so talented and amazing, it's truly a shame.

amazing as always!

Words could not express how happy I was when I found the subscription alert on my inbox! Welcome back to the fanfic world!

Anyway, regarding the chapter -- the plot boils thicker, I see. Itou's a really slick character isn't he? I can't wait to read about Saitou's role in his conspiracy, and how his relationship with Tokio would be affected.

I think a lot of people take Okita for granted. He really understands Saitou: without his work, he really has no purpose in life. But I would disagree with Okita by not calling Saitou "sappy" because, well, he's not. Occassionally sweet, maybe, but not sappy. :D

Speaking of Saitou the (Un-)Romantic, I think it's really cute of him to make Tokio wear his hanten because her scent already faded away. And the reunion scene at the beginning was well worth the wait! I know how difficult it is to balance real life with fanfiction, so I really appreciate the fact that you haven't abandoned this story. :)

Also, I'm curious: just how far are you going to take this story? Will it extend to the start of the RK series 'proper', or would the story end with the wedding?