Alright, have read the rest. Definitely want more. I really want to see your explanations for what happened with Nuriko in the Capital and what's up with the Saihitei/Hotohori thing. Oh, and on that note, Sai might take some effort to write, but you're doing a wonderful job with all the characters POV, but him in particular.

~MM~

Only on Ch 1 so far, but it was hilarious. I really like the personality you've given our dear merchant - enough similarities to recognize him as Hotohori, but different enough to be his own person. And the whole scene between him and Nuriko was wonderful - I could literally see them arguing, then tugging on the parasol in the river. You do a great job with writing humor. :)

Now I'm off to read the rest. If it's as good as the beginning, I'll be back begging you for updates!

~MM~

Now this is an interesting idea, and very well performed! (Pardon the pun.) You're putting in a good representation of Kabuki, and I especially like how delicately you handled the language barrier. ^_^ Kudos for being abl eto switch around different characters' POV, too! I look forward to see the others.

y'know, I've been itching to write a fic starring the seishi in the 1700s.

Well this story just puts me in a confuzzled scenario. Which is actually a good thing. I have to say the first chapter was hysterical. It boggled my mind how OC Hotohori's actions were but at least probable if he was a merchant rather then an emperor. (To be honest, Hotohori really annoyed me for the most part till he actually cracked some humorous moments ie. cue bandit epsiodes *gets all googly eyed in fear of the strange man hugging him* Nuriko~~!) So you're making this story much more enjoyable there. A major problem is i find the pairing of Tasuki/Nuriko more favorable. I have no idea why, and yes it's probably considered a bizzare semi uncanon viewpoint (but hey people at least Tasuki was -crying- at Nuriko's death unlike another emperor that just squeaked at the death). just keep writing this. the characterizationsa re just amusing and at least if not true to character true to storyline (meaning, ya did good kid). You're doing well with flow, the pacing is done well, from the plot snag (enter Miaka except we don't hate her), to the description of the play (and through someone who has seen a Kabuki play you pretty much summed out my mindset during it), the fight between our main characters (and yes. being a gentleman hurts). I am curious of the storyline of the play, so keep that in the story, and it'd be interesting to see what exactly happened between Nuriko and Tasuki (like how they met and got into kabuki of all things *snickers probably at a glaring Tasuki*) and what's going on with their semi awkward and maybe strained relationship (whatever kind it is). So. WRITE MORE NOW!. Warm fuzzies.

It's "Liu-Chuan." (Nuriko's real name)

well, names aren't always a bad thing. ^^

still great, but i thought i would point out that you called nuriko a 'him' a few times. once in the nuriko-goes-to-bed-and-saihitei-peeps scene, at the end, and once or twice at breakfast. ^^ not big things, so you can probably leave it if you don't want to go back and change it. XP

awaiting chapter three, (hinthint,nudgenudge)

yanagi

Great story so far, I can't wait to read more. The thought of Hotohori rolling in mud amuses me.

^^ i forgot to ask...you have two pairings written *points* i know most people like hotohori/nuriko, but i find that tasuki/nuriko tugs at my heart strings. whether it's a love triangle or they break up or something, i cheer for tasuki/nuriko!!

whe! i like it. ^^

go you! (i thought saiheiti[did i spell that right?] and nuriko's meeting was...very unexpected. extremely interesting, and funny, too. i liked the line about the umbrella in the evening)