Sweet and sorrowful, I guess it's either that or a whacked-up, bashed-in-the-head chick flick.

Them being room mates will prove to be very interesting I'm sure. Thank you for all the updates. Good luck with your studies!

they both have to be determined to make things work.

i think hiko wanted to weaken her with the booze so it would be easier for kenshin to talk to her-- poor girl.

delighted with the outcome.

one wonders if akitoki is a houjo? nobunaga's cousin?

always a pleasure,
ginny
♥

Good chapter, and I'm glad to see that things are on the mend again for those two. They need each other very badly. It kinda sucks that we won't see you for a while. What language will you be studying?
KEEP ON WRITING!

I found the beginning of this chapter a bit of a heart-breaker. After Kenshin's whispered promise to Koshijiro to look after Kaoru and his explicit promise to her that she'll never be alone in the last chapter, his rude and apparently emotionless response to her courageous reaching out to him is maddening. The idea of him sitting semi-drunk with stubble seems so unlike Kenshin and yet feels emotionally right for where his mind seems to be stuck. Of course, he will never see himself as good enough so it makes sense that what would motivate change is protecting Kaoru not helping himself. It reminds me of Kenshin in Rakunimura. Revenge, pride and self-esteem do not motivate him to move, only his need to help when approached by Tsubame gets him out of his funk.

I really look forward to how Kaoru handles any help or confrontation from him, however gentle. At this point she has every right to be majorally frustrated and ** off with him. I would imagine that she will be reinforcing her own barriers for awhile. I hope he works for her trust that she has given so freely to him before.

I am glad you are still writing. I find the emotional responses in your story feel very real.

angst, drama-- a few years after my cousin came home from vietnam, he killed himself. post traumatic stress can be pretty serious.

one wonders why she didn't find him and pound some sense into him for leaving and not letting his news sink in-- i know he didn't want to have to face her rejection but i'm sure she would never reject him. once she got over her initial reaction she would have, more than likely embraced him.

i can feel the desperate and cloying hopelessness it's almost palpable. quite a profoundly moving tale.

-- one thing -- you keep writing 'staid' when you mean 'stayed' (and after reading ravyn's rant in lj today i'm feeling a bit sheepish saying anything about it).

thank you,
ginny
♥;

Good writing so far! A lot has happened between your updates, I have to say. Maybe the biggest thing is that I joined the Army and am currently in the second phase of my training as a Civil Affairs specialist. Too bad Kenshin didn't hear about CA, as our job is to go out and help people without killing. We make sure they get food, water, schools, hospitals, government systems and stuff like that. We're kinda like a peace corps with guns. Sounds like something he would have been interested in...
I really look forward to the next chapter, and hopefully we'll see it soon! Good luck in college, I'm looking at beginning my own education in late August...
KEEP ON WRITING!

*facepalm* Uhhg Kenshin. So clueless! XDD Lmao. Kickass chapter once again! I shall reread the beginning- but I do have a vague idea. Lol.

Ari chan

Truly wonderful! Sadly I need to reread this because I forgot what was going on! XD But this chapter explains itself so its okay. Lol. You are most welcome for the review- and I understand perfecly about late replies- I reply sometimes a year later with my DA account. XDD Great job! Keep up the great work =)

Ari chan

I think you've done a fabulous job putting the characters into a modern day setting, and I really think you've touched the emotions of what an actual soldier could go through. Lovely work! Can't wait for this to continue! Keep it up! :D

Ugh! I can't believe Kenshin left, again. What a jerk.

Anyway, an utterly captivating story...again. Hopefully, you'll come back to finish it.

Wow that was a mouthful.. wonderfully.. haunting. Poor Kenshin.. Kaoru.. they are telling th truth now though.. the hard truth of it. T_T I cant believe this is the last chapter! Gyah! Please update when you can!

Ari chan

Wow.. who would of know Tomoe would be so.. cold @_@ Even though Im not one who likes Tomoe as an enemy.. Awesome job, I love it! ^^

Ari chan

Oh wow... Wonderful T∆T Keep up the great work =D

Ari chan

Lmfao! Go Kaoru go!!

Ari chan