I am a big fan of Anzu Mazaki, and my favorite pairing of hers is with Seto Kaiba. I stumbled across this story when I wanted to read some other pairings with Anzu. I never really thought of her and Raphael. Physically speaking, they look like they would have the deep friendship bond, or a sibling kind of relationship. But when you think past that physical surface and down into their mentality and emotions, they just fit, and your story definitely has brought out that. You have done a wonderful job in bringing these two characters psychologically with your writing. By getting into the minds of these two, I believe readers would be able to understand why they would pursue a "relationship" with each other.

Thank you for the short, but very thorough, thought out story. It certainly brought on a new perspective in how I see relationships, not to mention how to write creatively beyond the physical attraction of two people, like in this case, the deep thoughts and feelings reflected by both characters that bring them together.

I must admit I've been taken aback by discovering this fic. Rafael/Anzu ! I was thinking to have see everything, but I never thought about that pairing !

The way you've presented Rafael was quite interresting and reading your One-shot made me like this character deeper. Congratulations .

You have AWESOME diction! Perfect! Wow! But I got to ask, what made you go with this couple? o.o Just curious! XD

That was just so sad and beautiful! Amazing... I loved it!

...You are officially one of my favorite Yuugioh writers.

I think the way you captured Anzu in this fic was quite realistic. You're right- everything in her life went from crazy to average so quickly, I would find it strange if she didn't act out in any way because of it. Anzu finds some kind of solace in Raphael of all people and at first I was all, "wtf?" but after reading this, I really, really like how you wrote this crack pairing in such a believable way.

Wow. Your language is just... incredible.

The repetition of "She smacked him again when he showed up at rehearsal" is a bit much though. It doesn't quite fit.

But you've made me completely understand a pairing that's almost impossible to fathom, and you've done it beautifully.

Beautifully written. Now I know why I come to fanfiction everyday...it's to read stories that are by wonderfully talented writers such as yourself. That was simply amazing...you truly are an author. I never expected this pair but you made it seem right in a new light. Amazing...I'm running out of things to say. Hope to see another story by you soon.

Excuse me while I FANGIRL.

See, I finished watching this arc today. I'd taken up Raphael as my new favourite w00bie. Then I find this fic with him and Anzu (another favourite) portrayed as distinct selves in a very true manner, which manages to add to these solid character portrayals something of a real, new relationship. Yes, FANGIRLING.

Because I'm nitpicky, I want to point out typos - they make my inner eye twitch and then I get distracted from the great lines, so:

-He regarded them all with trained indifference – ever her.

-Part pf her was pleased

-He was someone Yamirespected. No, Atem…

And now the lines that add so greatly to the fangirlgasm:

They were afraid of him – of the look of him, of what his studded leather coat and vicious haircut portended.

A serious line, yes, but I'm enjoying the idea that the people are looking at his hair and thinking death-by-impalement XD. I like the idea of Raphael still being so angry, dark-looking; testing the world in his own way to see if it's worthy yet.

The rest of her wavered between indignation and uneasiness.

This is just one of those things that make me think 'true' - it's a real reaction in this kind of situation. It grounds the fic.

The past rose up in her mind like a bog spitting out a body, years after absorbing it, whole and unmarked as the day it died.

This image is gritty, nasty, amazing.

with a jawline that seemed to invite her fingers to check for stubble

It's sweet, and yet another lovely real note.

He didn’t make promises they both knew he wouldn’t keep – like friends forever, never leave, never forget you, never walk away without turning back one last time.

Such a painful perfect summation of what Atem did. Especially the "without turning back one last time".

This post-series Anzu is, as of now, THE post-series Anzu in my mind. Actually, I like to think that this kind of longing for the abnormal/supernatural would plague most of the gang, but it fits perfectly with Miss Firecracker.

Before, I was certain that Raphael/Anzu was surprisingly believable. After reading your story, I'm wondering if it's not karmically dictated. Gorgeous work as always... no one writes Anzu like you do.

Wow. I can't BELIEVE how well you made this pairing work. That was excellently written. I love your descriptions of Raphael and his essence, the way he appears to other people was so vivid and...well, just perfect. :-D AMAZING writing!

Okay, you just made me buy Anzu and Raphael! Never thought that could happen!

As always, the descriptions! (drool drool) I love the bit about the "lived-in manner and difficult blue eyes." I loved her reaction to Raphael and how it changes over time.

The repetition of "She smacked him again when he turned up at rehearsal" - I'm not sure if that was intentional or a typo. If intentional, it was a little too jarring to work.

I hope you have more YGO fics in the works.