*has just finished reading tears and Rain series* You go! I luff Soujirou *dreamy sigh* Is this the end? No don't end! You must finish it Hime-chan or i'll...do something...yeah...o-O

It would be great if you could write this third story to end the trilogy.

Please continue! I luv the Tears Rain continuity. Please update! _

I love this fic, I hope you will continue it soon. Both Soujirou and Okita are personal favorites of mine and I love that you've connected them in this story with Soujirou doing Okita's famous Sandanzuki "3-piece thrust" move.
I mean they both used the same sword, why not the same moves? I've read the whole Tears and Rain story and even the revised version and hope that you continue both. I usually don't like OC characters in fics, especially those who become the love of the main character's life. I've seen way to many mary sues in my life, but I love your character and Kuri seems real enough to actually be likable. She doesn't have any of the usual mary sue characteristics. I think your writing rocks, there should be more good writers writing stories for Soujirou like you.

Actually, the 'Sankyoku Ittai Roga Mekkyaku(I'm not sure that's the official name, historical name, or someone came up with it; I'm not entirely sure how to decipher the Author's Notes, but I like calling it that for the heck of it; you should ask permission if you want to use that name in a story just in case) is both shoulders and throat, and can be turned into a horizontal slash. Hence, the 'opening on the left' doesn't exist, as the attacker can slash out to the left, unlike in a normal Gatotsu with that opening what's-his-name (I forget which one) used on Saito in the Sushin fight.
Not sure you'd call the move a Gatotsu period, though, given that Okita's style is Tennen Rishin, and while according to the Authors' Notes I found this name in sometime ago Saito based his Gatotsu off someone who used the Tennen Rishin style; I don't know if it'd qualify as a Gatotsu.
Outside of that, though, this seems to have significant potential to be a very interesting story. First time I've encountered a Sojiro love interest running into his past *without* hearing it from Sojiro; considering the way you've done things with Sojiro still killing and Kuri's idealization of Sojiro by this point and whatnot else, much of their relationship is original in certain regards anyway. Add this into it, and it could really be nice.
I do disagree about Sojiro not knowing many moves, though. An assassin is not one who would announce their moves, especially not one as withdrawn as Sojiro was then. Just because he doesn't announce the move doesn't mean that he does more than rely on speed and swing his sword. I'd be willing to bet the wall leap swirl slash is a particular move of his style, maybe, although perhaps not. Maybe you are right... He's just so good he doesn't *need* to attune his body into 'special moves', he's simply dexterious and able of pulling advanced sword maneuvers easily.
Regardless of that, just what is holding this story up? Sojiro still kills, Kuri learning Kamiya Kasshin, so much potential... Is it because you need to finish the Saito story first and that's holding you up because you're not interested writing that? Why not just write this and summarize the Saito story in reflections of Saito's and explanations to Sojiro and whatnot else, and go back and write the actual story later on? This really needs to be continued, it looks like it could really develop into something grand.
As does your 'ALTERNATIVES' as well. If that continues, I may not be too upset about this. But that one... Original, and its development should be enormously interesting and complex. Give me more, please... Sojiro's one of my favorite characters in KENSHIN and anime period, and I'm running out of good KENSHIN Fanfiction completely, too, anyway, not just of him. What's the problem exactly?
Paul
"Enishi's Kyokeimyaku would annihilate Sojiro."-Me, arguing whether Enishi's Kyokeimyaku or Sojiro's Shukuchi is Better
An Instant Messenger Chat
P.S. No, I don't necessarily believe that. It was partial light-hearted comment. I do believe, however, since Enishi was able to outdo the Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki when he wasn't even necessarily fighting at full potential in his non-sped-up state, in Kyokeimyaku Sojiro would be in *deep* trouble. Not because of Kyokeimyaku itself, but because of that combined with the rest of Enishi's skill.

I adore this series! Each story is better than the last. I'm dying for you to update.

PLEASE! (see, I'm begging x
Please continue with your story. I really enjoy reading it and I'm dying to know what happens next. So, please, please, please keep writing.

Its almost been a year. Update, update!

Laaaa, you evil evil person! UPDATE! :D

Konichuawa! first of all, i would like to say i'm a fan of this fic ever since i started reading Tears and Rain, the first chapter just got me hooked. i'm hoping, anxious, and excited to read the next chapter in Rain. i really do love your fic, it's one of best i've read. in addition, i really like your writing style, it's unique and creative. you really truely have a talent! o i must also commend you on writing a fic about soujiro, too. after watching the rk anime series, i wanted to know what would happen to soujiro in his quest as a ronin (plus he's so kawaii _). so...if there ever was a spin-off series of soujiro, it would be hard on HOW to write it. the foremost reason is because you have to figure out the whole process of how soujiro could break through his mental and emotional barriers. second, is how would soujiro show it when he always smile all the time? therefore, writing a fic on the smiling swordman could be challenging _ well, enough of me blabbing, in short, i like how you approached it, and how truely wonderful this fic is. i hope to read what's next, cause i know it will be awesome! arigato, kenni.

Konichuawa! first of all, i would like to say i'm a fan of this fic ever since i started reading Tears and Rain, the first chapter just got me hooked. i'm hoping, anxious, and excited to read the next chapter in Rain. i really do love your fic, it's one of best i've read. in addition, i really like your writing style, it's unique and creative. you really truely have a talent! o i must also commend you on writing a fic about soujiro, too. after watching the rk anime series, i wanted to know what would happen to soujiro in his quest as a ronin (plus he's so kawaii _). so...if there ever was a spin-off series of soujiro, it would be hard on HOW to write it. the foremost reason is because you have to figure out the whole process of how soujiro could break through his mental and emotional barriers. second, is how would soujiro show it when he always smile all the time? therefore, writing a fic on the smiling swordman could be challenging _ well, enough of me blabbing, in short, i like how you approached it, and how truely wonderful this fic is. i hope to read what's next, cause i know it will be awesome! arigato, kenni.

UPDATE PLEASE! This is such a powerful story and all your readers eagerly await more chapters. I guess I'll just have to keep coming here or your website and wait.

Your trilogy is the best I've ever read. I've enjoyed your writing since I first read Tears and Rain. I wait for more chapters of Raindrops.

Ever since I read Tears and Raim, I've been a fan. I love the fact that Soujiro is leading and story and has a girl to boot. Keep up the great work.

aaaaaagh! evil evil evil woman!