You don't need me to tell you what a good writer you are. You already know that. Anyway, well-executed dialog, as always.

What puzzles me is the use of the word 'defiantly'. "For a moment she stared at him defiantly..."

I'm not saying you should change it or that it doesn't fit. It's just that, in my understanding, defiance is more commonly an emotion used by inferiors towards superiors. In this case, Nasami's clear economic and social superiority makes it seem strange that she is the one showing "defiance" towards the lone wolf. The reverse - him being described as defiant at the moment he asked her to remove her hat - would have made more sense to me.

Nasami's 'defiance' gives the impression that she feels insecure and vulnerable around this stranger, which may indeed be the picture you want to paint. After all, this might be in keeping with her relative submissiveness towards people she considers her superiors in some way. (the recipients of her deference and the people who have enough 'substance' to make her feel it is appropriate to take the behavior of an inferior in their presence, as I pointed out before, all conveniently happen to be male, not that you don't have the right to engineer things however you please in your ficverse ;-)

Oh-ho, why haven't I read this sooner? Something about Lone Wolf and Cub just echoes for hours, doesn't it?

And Nasami, as always, is a beautiful example of nobility and openness to other humans. Gorgeous.

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YOU'RE BACK! Hoh-lee-cow! Samuraiko! *tackleglomps*

Good to see you're writing again! I have to admit that I haven't been keeping up on the fanfiction lately (art school's a hellova lotta work) but who knows, I might get the hankering to draw Rangiku and Nasami sometime...

I see that you threw in the Lone Wolf and Cub there. Excellent reference!

How very like Nasami -- an example of truly noble lady. :) Her actions were very fitting. I'm assuming this takes place before the events in Sword of the Soul. The cryptic ending to her poem has me wondering if this is a plotline on which you might expand...?

I didn't recognise the other player. However, the story got me curious enough to type the phrase, 'Son for hire, Sword for hire' into Wikipedia. Wow -- that's a character that could inspire all sorts of plot bunnies, hmm?

Beautifully written. The bitter irony. You're right - it does work beautifully for Kan/Kyuu too ;-)

Very touching... especially today, as a head cold always makes me a bit maudlin (sniff).

The scene in TSOTS that came to mind was one that I had found particularly poignant. I always thought Kyuzo's death was the saddest (a samurai being brought down by 'friendly fire') -- I remember well that scene when Nasami found his body, and how she wept for him... and thinking that I was glad that someone had. He deserved at least that much, didn't he?

Wow, great haiku. This is definitely one of my faves. Wonderful work as always!

~NarcissisticRiceBall

*laughs* I really really really like Nasami. XD She and Kambei are so perfect for each other. Wahahaha... those last lines coincide with what I asked Kambei in W.S.A.W.K.A.~ XD

You know, I really should show more discipline and not indulge in these short stories and poems, for I still haven't have a chance to delve into your first story about Nasami and I'm going to spoil things for myself. However...

I couldn't resist this charming collection. And, this last piece... oh my. I've made no secret that Kyuzo is my favourite, and I just saw episode 25 today... 'nuff said. I'm waxing maudlin tonight.

Bittersweet is an excellent adjective to describe this chapter. You've captured the personalities of the four ghostly wanderers so well, and that last moment on the balconey! Dang... tissue?

Heh heh. "She looks like she put on weight." "It's called 'pregnency', Kikuchiyo." Man, I howled with laughter when I read that. Just the right balance of mirth and tears here.

"'Wow, has she put on weight...'

'It's called pregnancy, Kikuchiyo-dono.'"
WAHAHAHA! XD That really cracked me up.~ And it was really sweet... and... is that a one-sided (implied) KyuzoNasami there at the end? o.O
-cough- anyway..
"'We remember everything else...' Heihachi murmured. 'Why wouldn't we remember being cold?'"
Sensations as memories. (as a spirit, that is)
..wow. I like that perspective. XD

*laughs* That was god. I mean, really. XD wahahahahaaha!! Shichiroji's really the... mischievous-and-slightly-crazy type. ..or "loko-loko" as we Pinoys call it. XD

*deep bow* I AM SO SORRY FOR ABRUPTLY STOPPING TO READ THE SWORD OF THE SOUL!! >_.<

And it's 16 days to Christmas!! yay! Advanced Merry Christmas, Samuraiko-san!

ps: this is shadow-wind auror btw. I just got weird and changed my pen name. =P

KYAHAHA! Face fault for Ran! That was great. And I do enjoy the crossover madness, thanks. As usual, your writing surpasses my puny scribblings. Great job!

A little embarrassent would be good for the kid. Whatever she'd say, I expect Nasami was probably a little embarrassed, too.

Well, I suppose there had to be something to make Kanbei truly worried.