   LilyGinnyBlack
2009-07-09 . chapter 10...Oh my, this was so impacting. So powerful, and so well executed. I have so many things I want to say about this fanfic, and yet, I'm speechless.
First I must say kudos for having such a refreshing plot that has little to nothing to do with romance. A rare find in the world of fanfic (and more so in the Inuyasha section.) It makes me sad to know that you lost reviewers after you wrote that romance would not be one of the main focuses of this story. But, after finishing this, I only feel sad for those who may have stopped reading such a raw story. A love between a parent and child is just as strong, just as heartwarming (if not more) than the love shared between lovers.
And so, I move onto the next part of this review. The relationship between Sesshomaru and Rin; fans have run the gannet on the possibilities these two have: father and daughter, lovers, master and servant, and anything and everything in between. Yet, after all the father/daughter fics I have read for these two, none have affected me quite as sharply as this one has. It's not just a cute series of moments shared between Sesshomaru and Rin, nor is it a story that works up to one sudden realization. Sesshomaru and Rin become father and daughter slowly, step-by-step, and their moments are some of the purest I've read.
As pure as they were, you still managed to keep everyone so amazingly in-character. Sesshomaru is still rather aloof with his love and care even by the end of the story, yet there are small words or acts that show a slight change. Nevertheless, he never shows any great emotion to Inuyasha, he doesn't care about him, but Rin is everything to him. This is an accurate characterization of him. Kagome was rough and kind when she should be, strong and weak when most humans would be (with just that little extra umph that makes Kagome, Kagome.) And Inuyasha was crude, but caring when he needed to be. I especially like how you had Inuyasha's mother die from cancer as well (and the whole myth that it was caused by demons, a nice use of scapegoating, which is far too common in all human society.) It made everything with Rin just a bit more personal for Inuyasha and just the right push he needed to help out this girl who sees a father in his brother and this girl who his brother sees as a daughter.
Finally, we come to Rin. Rin is a sweet and precious child, that never changes throughout this fanfic, yet you allow Rin to grow and mature into a (emotionally and mentally) strong child. You had her learn how to try her hardest and never give up on a fight, especially one that concerns her life. Having her fight Leukemia was unique and special. It's hard to find a fic that deals with Rin getting sick (without it being a way to get Kagome and Sesshomaru together) and it's also hard to find a fanfiction author who put so much time and research into the illness that they make the character(s) have. I applaud you for that, truly.
There were times, while reading this, when I had to stop because it was too much to take in. The harsh reality was effective though, and the way you were able to blend in some great humor helped the reader along (Sesshomaru at Toys R' Us, and even when Sesshomaru shaved his head (a moment which nearly had me in tears (this fic did make me cry at times) was leveled out within the next chapter when Inuyasha had his head shaved.) Another wonderful example of you mixing touching moments and humor was the zoo. When Sesshomaru and Rin went there together, it was a sober moment, and then Sesshomaru brings a platypus in the bathtub! XD You did a good job of tying events together.
Though, the one thing that you did mention but then let die, was Eri. You had Kagome say that she had suffered Leukemia and that the two (Rin and Eri) would meet. Yet, they never did. I'm wondering if you just forgot or if you had them meet and you just never wrote about it. I realize that the problems and complications that you had come up is probably the reason they never got to meet, but I just thought I'd mention it (since it is a slight plot hole and the only thing that I can really say was 'bad' about this fic (and I use that term very, very lightly.)) There were also a few spelling errors and typos, but nothing that took away from the story; it's plot, character, and most importantly it's message.
You used this medium (fanfiction) to it's highest potential. Sure fanfiction is meant for fans to write out their fantasies and wishes for certain characters and pairings, and sure fanfiction is fun to read for mindless angst or cavity inducing fluff...every once in a while. After shifting through such stories, over and over again for a while, finding a fanfic like this one is magical! You took characters that are known, loved, and cherished and then put them through a very realistic ordeal that many (far too many) families have to suffer through.
Also, you picked a topic that (I'm sure) has effected the lives of nearly everyone on this planet, whether they realize it or not: cancer. No part of this was sugar coated, not even the ending when Rin got saved because of Inuyasha's youki. Even then you had Sesshomaru worry that the cure was just temporary and brief (or that it would have unwanted side affects.) Every moment in this story the reader was reminded of the fact that Rin had to struggle to live and that death was right around the corner. She fought a battle, you made that clear, and you get across the idea that children (and adults) that have any form of cancer or disease (my mother had a heart problem and had numerous operations on her heart since she was a small child, and spent many moments in her childhood and adulthood in the hospital) have to fight every single day of their life in order to keep living. Keep living in order to obtain normal -small- wishes and dreams.
It was uplifting that Rin got to have this (and that neither she nor Sesshomaru had to be separated for any great length of time.) You handle Rin and how she survives in a peculiar way. I've seen it before, Kagome becoming a hanyou or demon in order to live a long immortal life with Inuyasha, Sesshomaru, or whoever else she's been paired with in the fannon world. Usually this is done at the beginning of the story and is used as an 'easy fix' to make certain pairings work out or to make mortal become immortality. Yet you used this concept with Rin (so very rare!) and the reason for why this happened to her was thought out and made sense. It wasn't just used as so easy fix, it was an unexpected miracle instead. Plus, you were up front and direct with Rin's mortality and her being human. You explored Sesshomaru's emotions if Rin were to pass away, and you even had him starting to accept it (slightly), while Rin had already came to terms with it (after proudly fighting for so long.) So no, it wasn't just some Deus ex Machina, you used this concept appropriately and creatively (not to mention logically.) And Rin just sounded so adorable like that! Truly looking (but already being) a daughter to Sesshomaru. ^-^
Finally, I'll wrap up this massive review by saying that, overall, your grammar and spelling were above average for fanfiction writing (as was your vocabulary.) Your research was extensive, at the level of a real author (or even mangaka.) So, I must say, this fanfic was stunning! I thank you for writing it and I wish you the best of luck with future fics! ^^
Take care! (^^)o
~Lily~ |
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