Hey been awhile since ive read your story, but your a great author the character development of nasami is great and i think her and kambei match perfectly. The little bits you drop in there about Kyuzo and nasami does make you see them as a possible pairing too, but im definitely kambei/nasami all the way ^_^ awesome story. Im off to read the rest laterz!

I think a simpler motivation for Nasami's revenge would work better. No need to overly justify her hatred for Hyugo - he just needs to have committed one 'sin' against her, and that would be enough.

There was one sentence that stuck out to me in particular:
“I hope that one day I will find someone who looks at me the way Katsushiro looks at Kirara.”
In that one line, you conveyed that while Nasami is truly strong and brave, she is also a woman with very womanly desires.It struck me as a very pure way of saying the longing for love is not some sort of weak, dominated mindset that women have.

I started reading this mostly because of two things: first, the length. I really wanted something big to sink my teeth into. And second, everywhere I look, I keep finding things about Nasami, and for an OC to become so popular with such a small (in comparison to other animes) fan following, I immediately became intrigued. I can tell that I'm going to love this.

I just wanted to say: I damn well love your fight scenes.

He was astonished to see Nasami let go of her sword long enough to pull her arms out of the way, then snatch up the falling blade as she rolled beneath his strike and past him...Nasami responded by raising her own katana to take the brunt of the attack, and Kyuzo forced her to her knees from the weight of the blow. Abruptly she stopped resisting, and he was temporarily thrown off-balance by suddenly falling forward, and the samuraiko took the moment's reprieve to tuck in her legs, brace them against his chest, and send Kyuzo flying over her head.

When remembering the way that episode seven looks (when they had, like, six animators on staff for those scenes, with the awesomely wonky animation), it's just... so cool.

As it happens, I'm a little confused, and I was going to ask you this anyway soon: was Nasami's assassin (Hyogo's sister) Kesaiko? If not, can you describe how you think Hyogo's sister looks to me? I'd like to incorporate her in CRAZYalways.

love,
- morgan

hello, i wanted to tell you that i loved your fanfiction, i think your really talentuous! i read all of them and i liked them!! i'm just sad that Nasami and Kyuzo don't end up together (well, he died so they can't... Katsushiro your a dumb!).
well, keep doing fanfiction please, yours are wonderful!
(ps: sorry if my english is not really good, i'm french...lol)

I couldn't stop reading once the Capital went into the ravine...

Ah me, what can I say about the last three chapters? Indeed, about the story as a whole?

To call it an enjoyable read does not seem sufficient. It certainly stands out as one of the best fan fictions I've ever come across. The Sword of the Soul was beautifully written, with care given to every passage -- your descriptions brought vivid images to mind and the dialogue flowed naturally, with a fine mix of humour and drama.

Your presentation of the characters was brilliant and true to their personalities. To elaborate...

Kambei: you added a depth to his character that made him even more appealing -- and I am so pleased he had a happy ending. :)

Shichiroji: His humour and gentle spirit were evident.

Heihachi: Though his introspectins were few, I think you nailed him -- a soft-spoken soul seeking his own redemption.

Kikuchiyo: I loved the way you wrote him -- his warm heart shone through. A machine samurai who was perhaps the most human of all.

Katsushiro: Fabulous job. Absolutely fabulous. You showed how he, too, was a sacrifice; he lost both his innocence and his ideals, but found something far more valuable within himself.

Kyuzo: Well, you know already my approval regarding this fellow. He was 'samurai', every step of the way... for which I sincerely thank you. I'm glad, too, that Nasami found his body, and that someone cared enough to weep for him.

The farmers: great insight into everyone, especially Kirara. She learned (at least, I hope she did) some hard lessons in the anime, and they were reinforced, and admirably explained, in your story.

Ukyo: my skin crawled, so I would presume that to be 'mission accomplished'?

As for Nasami -- well, she is your own and something of which to be proud. A truly engaging original character who came alive in my mind as I read her story. You know, you had me very worried when you described the extent of her injuries (thank goodness for the Guardians, eh?). I'm so pleased that she was one of the survivors and that she found her heart. May she and Kambei have much joy and a long life together. :D

Thanks for a lovely journey.

Rest assured, you did full justice to each samurai's sacrifice. A marvellous chapter, m'dear.

Dang, dang, dang... where are those tissues?

I sincerely applaude your handling of Kyuzo and Nasami. Perfect. Especially Kyuzo's introspections: how he 'wondered why Kambei had ever believed that Nasami was dead' and 'at what might have been, had things been different'. The undercurrents of emotion were palpable. It is with Kyuzo that Nasami seems the most vulnerable -- and I understand why. I'm so glad that he told her Kuroshin would have been proud of her.

Naturally, passages which involve Kyuzo overshadow all others for me, but I'd be remiss if I didn't compliment the action involving Nasami, Katsushiro, Heihachi and the farmers. Everything meshed together so well. Best line in that part was Nasami's promise to kill Katsu if he survived his hair-brained stunt. It was good to have a laugh amongst all that 'chaos'. :)

Bloody brilliant descriptions. Even if I hadn't seen the anime, I'd have no trouble visualising the action. I think I'd call it 'organised' rather than 'utter' chaos. :)

I particularly liked this quote: "Instead of acting, he is reacting." The samuraiko's eyes were gleaming with an almost feral light that sent shivers down Shino's spine. "And it will cost him." Very good.

I think one of the most unusual (and appealing) things about Samurai 7 was its curious combination of the futuristic combined with the mystic. Thus, Katsushiro's 'vision' of Nasami blended well with the story, as did Nasami's own visitation by the spirits of her brother and comrades. The latter was a poignant moment -- I'm glad that Nasami's choice to serve the Empire over the Emperor received their approval.

Now, with the very stirring image of the approaching Zankanto in my mind, I shall read on... with tissues at hand.

Re: chapter 44. I liked the insight into Katsushiro's thoughts as he returned to Kanna. He's come a long way... though, as we know, he's not quite arrived yet.

Re: Chapter 45. Loved it all. Nasami's decision to leave the capitol had me grinning, especailly after she had to endure Ukyo's gloating. Go get em, girl...

The final dialogue between Kambei and Kyuzo was a perfect ending to the chapter. I really liked the irony of Kyuzo telling Kambei to listen to his heart. Yes, it's always the quiet ones...

I just had to slip in a comment before continuing...

You have *so* nailed Ukyo in this chapter - duplicitous, devious b*st*rd that he is. I literally had a chill, m'dear.

I have to compliment how very 'in character' everyone was in the past two chapters. And, once again, Nasami has fit into the story effortlessly. The mortgage payment was a nice touch. :)

So, Kambei and the samuraiko share a similar history of lost love. I liked that sympathetic moment between Kambei and Shichiroji (nice that his 'old wife' finally caught on, lol). I also liked Kyuzo's meeting with Kastushiro -- it seemed true to form that Kyuzo would put honour before personal feelings, and that he'd make his duel with Kambei his priority. Though, I wonder what is going through his mind after Kirara's revelation?

Must read on...

Again, this is a bit of a composite review. Apologies if it rambles a bit -- it's late and my bed calls. :) Perhaps if I just pick a few things that stood out...

First of all... you're right. Following The Execution episode, everything just seemed to be spiralling downwards. There was such a feeling of foreboding, and you've captured it well. Everyone was so unsettled and at odds and ends, perhaps because they instinctively knew that Ukyo's promise was a hollow one.

Katsushiro's respect for Nasami fit well into his verbal attack on Kambei. I thought Masamune was right, though -- they were both at fault. I felt bad for young Katsu (though, at the same time, I wanted to shake him) -- he was so disillusioned. And, poor ol' Kambei -- understanding all the dynamics swirling about him, and unable to resolve any of it.

That moment between Yukino and Kirara was a sad little interlude. You've really conveyed just how young Kirara is emotionally, at least when it comes to affairs of the heart. An even sadder moment, though, was Sanae's grief. Her mourning her lost child is understandable, though I have to confess wondering at her affection for the Emperor. The 'conversation' with the firefly was a nice touch.

Now, I'm looking forward to the next chapter, when all meet at the Firefly House. For now, though -- bedtime.