It's amazing how a fic this short can be so good! I would think that black wings would be really pretty, though Fai would probably take it as affirmation that he is evil and causes misfortune. Ouch at Fai being so exposed to everyone when he's always trying his hardest to hide himself away, his wings are so large that he couldn't possibly ever hide them.

Very nice!Great how you made the wings like their souls. They really match. Fai's wings are ebony black, a jet color so pure they seem to glow;what an awesome description.

I'm sad that you've decided not to go farther with this one. While I'll agree that wing fics can get obnoxious a lot, I think this one would have made a lot of sense. How you described the wings, especially Sakura's, defiantly supported an actual storyline.

Aaaw Fai...I don't know if black wings are good or bad but he certainly seemed upset about them...(also poor Sakura...all withered...$

Such a nice little one shot, and while I kind of would like to see the idea expanded at the same time I'm glad its not being expanded as this little piece was so nice. You captured each individual's true personality in their wings, it was all nicely done :)

Great job with this one shot!

Ooh. Wow. This was good. It was short, but then, any longer and it would have ruined the fic. I enjoyed it extremely and the way you capture each character and their wings is really excellently done and with such an economical number of words. The other great thing too is that it doesn't have any pairing in particular, which works great here and which I find refreshing. This has to be one of the better short fics I've read in this community.

Hm...this was an interesting fic. I like the ides of the souls being wings...Poor Sakura, having to see that. And I find it interesting what you did with Fai and Kurogane's wings-most others probably would have done Kuro's wings in black and Fai's in white, and I found it interesting that you chose the colors you did (and that includes Syaoran as well). Any particular reasons behind the color choices, or just a whim.

By the by, I also noticed that the syle with which you wrote this was different from your norm. Why did you choose present tense for this particular fic? (I know it seems weird for me to ask, but I just notice and get curious about weird little things like that).

Oh, wow, that is an awesome concept. Poor Fai, he can't hide in this world, I think he would be very frightened.

A really nice riff on the whole Haibane Renmei concept! Very short but to the point, and accurately assesses the sorts of wings each would have, were they to suddenly wake up in the town of Guri.

"When they move to a new world, they take on the characteristics of that world. It's not just an attempt to blend in; the laws of physics demand it."

Oh, that's very true!

"Sakura's feathers are a soft glowing white, etched with intricate patterns; but her wings are pitiful things, almost skeletal-looking, missing huge swaths of feathers. As she slowly, tentatively opens them behind her, the few handfuls of feathers that do cling to her wings only make the ragged empty patches look more terrible."

That part really translates Sakura's loss well.

"We'll get them back for you, Princess," Syaoran vows earnestly, clutching Sakura's hands. "Every one, I promise!"

Syaoran's vow here is really fitting. Sometimes I just find that he says it all the time, but this time the situation in which he says it is perfect.

"But you are silly, like a big pelican flapping its wings!"

Hahahaaa, funny comparison :D

"in this world, Fai's wings are ebony black, a jet color so pure that they seem to glow."

Nice choice of wings.

No matter how long or how short your fics are, they never lack anything - the necessary descriptions, the emotions, good characterization... - and they never fail to be different.

Ps: Care to explain the title?

Hoh, nice one. You surprised me with swapping the color scheme, here. At the first mention of Kurogane's wings being white I found myself wondering. As wings symbolize the soul and you specifying it as them wearing "their soul on the outside" it only makes sense, though. In that context, I also liked the notion of Kurogane having "the even odder sensation that he should have had them all along" - as though he really has no problems baring his thoughts and even his soul for the outer world to see. I really found that fitting. And Fai being distressed by the to him seemingly tainted color of his own wings. I loved how Kurogane would see the beauty and pureness in them.

Of course Sakura and Syaoran were lovely as well (I liked the notion of Sakura's wings being tattered), but you know how much I love the dynamics between Fai and Kurogane. x3

I have to admit, when I read "wing fic" in my email box, I was a little skeptical, but this was really provoking :-D I really like the concept of wearing their souls on the outside, but I'm really interested to know why you chose black for Fai's wings. I like the idea of this being an illustration of the consuming nature of guilt, but having a pure black soul carries certain connotations that I've never really read in Fai's character. It brings up a whole mess of questions about who is judging these characters' souls - themselves or some outside force and what criteria they're using. Syaoran's wings are grey - but is that really a reflection of his worry, or is it because he only has half a soul?

Figured I'd ask what your interpretation was while I was busy overanalyzing ;)

Wow, I don't know what it is about this story but it really struck a chord in me. The wings capture their characters perfectly. Good job.

(damn i just wrote this whole review and then the electricity went out! now to repeat it all over again...)

you know, everything you write is always wonderful. :)

the way that you described everything was well written (as always) and very intriguing. the wings fit each of the characters perfectly. the princess's condition is very sad, but in a way Fai's is even sadder. her wings can be fixed whereas he has to start all over again. he needs to change, which is harder in a lot of ways. the way he tries to hide it is very heartbreaking, and i kinda wish kuro had commented about him. but no i guess its perfect they way it is.

i wonder what the new fai's wings would look like? and i also wonder if this is the real syaoran or the clone..?

this also reminds me of the way that even in the manga, Kurogane's the only one who's "good". everyone else is either a spy or a clone or both. but kurogane is also an angry revenge-seeking murderer so i guess that could explain the red edges...it's all very interesting to think about.

and i love reading things that make me think, so thank you! :D