Wow! Ok...gimme a second. Let me process it...Ok. We're good. First off, can I just be perfectly honest and admit that your updates are a monthly highlight? Seriously. When I saw that blessed message in my inbox that said 'Chapter 37', I could've danced a jig. So onto the review. I really need to start jotting my thoughts down as I read. Helps me to stay organized. haha. The chapter was friggin' awesome! You had so much built up from 36, and you absolutely did not disappoint with 37. I loved how Tasuki, Chichiri, Ritsuka, and Hataku all know each other well enough to know that 'We'll talk in the morning' and 'We'll keep you updated' doesn't mean diddly squat. And every two minutes, someone else is showing up at the gate. And he or she wasn't at all surprised that the other party was trying to keep them out of the loop. And the other party isn't surprised that their little plan was completely see through. I loved it! I was majorly cheering for Houki. I've loved her character throughout the entire story, and I find her very easy to sympathize with because the reader can imagine how useless she must feel when surrounded by all of these strong people. And yet, she keeps making these rockin' comebacks, and I love it! I thought both Setsuka's and Mizu's slow breakdowns were genius. I have to be honest. For like five seconds, I was sort of afraid that Mizu was just gonna snap, and pull an 'Evil Willow' sort of thing. haha. Just saying! And I'm really feeling for Hataku right now. Poor guy. I loved the moments when all of their dead friends popped up to offer much needed encouragement and insight. Loved it loved it loved it! I could've screamed when Koji started talking! And last but certainly not least, no review of this chapter would be complete without touching on the awesomeness that was Tasuki/Ritsuka and Chichiri/Kiori! Lemme just say that kiss was a looooooooong time coming! And it was perfect! I think it worked beautifully to weave together Chichiri's startling revelation that he actually has fallen in love with Kiori with the sudden turn in events that may lead to his losing her. But something needed to wake that boy up! And when he realized that the only way to break the chain was for one of the three to die, I was totally waiting for him to dash across the room and take Mizu's head off. I know. Harsh. And it's not like I don't like Mizu. I think she's a brilliant character because she's so twisted up and conflicted, but I was not going to tolerate it Kiori almost died because he was afraid to do what needed to be done. haha. But it worked out great. And I was too pleased to see that even though Mizu died, she was redeemed. As far as Tasuki and Ritsuka, that whole battle was epic! Epic and awesome and epic and fantastic and...epic! I'm half tempted to the word 'epic' just so I can rant about the battle some more, but I think that would be a bit much. ;) Anyways, all in all, a fabulous chapter. And I refuse to throw a single pot or pan at you for ending the chapter right where you did. So we don't know who survives! We'll get over it!...NO WE WON'T! Don't kill them! \

Ok. So ends my rant/review! So I know we're coming up on a close to this too cool for school story or yours, but do you have any idea how many chapters you're looking at? I'm just curious. haha. Do you think you'll be done by the end of the year, or are you feeling 2011? Oh good grief. I may have to start the story from the beginning to satiate my craving! Loved it Dee!

HO SNAP. Not just one, but four! Not quite a fest, but it'll do. :DDD

This chapter made me crazy, and I loved every moment of it. Standing virtual ovation! CLAAPCLAPPWHOOOO. (Not quite effective without sound, is it? *fails*)

I have an important announcement:

Holy. Freakin'. Crap.

That is all.

(Seriously, this is amazing O.o)

Finally, she's dead. And 'Chiri told her and no more war but why did Mizu-chan have to diiiieeeee :'(

First of all, I feel really bad that I haven't reviewed your story in a while-like I told you on LJ, I /did/ read the past few chapters, I just didn't have the chance to review them. Sorry about that! (;)

I have to say, I really, really, REALLY loved this chapter. /Finally/, Chichiri admitted that he's in love with Kiori! (And it only took, what, 30 chapters? XD) I thought the end of the scene right after he woke up, with him shouting "across the waters" how Setsuka "doesn't stand a chance", was adorable and hilarious at the same time. His giddiness and eagerness to talk with Kiori, Tasuki, and Ritsuka made me giggle too-Chichiri's just too cute, and you write him so well! (_) It was also nice to see him actually being /optimistic/ for a change. ()

Alright, now I'll try and go in order throughout the chapter, starting at the beginning. I thought that the scene at the Dove was interesting, as well as a nice, (semi-)lighthearted way of starting off the chapter. I found myself liking Rin right away, and I was just as surprised (okay, maybe not /just as/ surprised, but close) as Ritsuka to find that Tasuki slept with her, especially considering Tasuki's...attitude towards women throughout the series, I guess you could say. (Basically, it just seems so un-Tasuki-like to me, for lack of a better explanation. (;)) Not to say that it was completely unbelievable, of course-I had no trouble believing Rin's story the way you had her tell it, taking Tasuki's mental state into account, and having her empathize with him. I'm curious, though, about Ritsuka and Tasuki's relationship: I remember you saying at some point that the two of them weren't going to be a couple, but they're starting to act awfully couple-ish as of late! (lol) Did you change your mind on whether or not they were going to be a couple? (Considering how you're notoriously evil in the world of fanfiction, I'm guessing that you're going to just tell me to wait and see, you meanie. (P))

Oh, and one tiiiiiiny little thing that was bothering me: "stone beats paper!" Isn't it the other way around? (XDDD)

I'll be honest, Setsuka was never my favorite character. Actually, I don't think she's /anywhere/ near the top on my "list of favorite FY:NC characters." But ever since the RAFT succeeded in dethroning Setsuka (and inadvertently driving her (and Mizu) completely out of Takkan), she's been sort of...fluctuating in her position. (;) In some scenes I (still) don't like her, and in others, she's.../almost/ likeable. Almost. (;) This chapter was interesting, in that it had one scene that had my view of Setsuka do a complete 180. In /one scene/. You just like messing with people's minds, don't you? (P) But yeah, the dream scene had me feeling bad for her in the beginning, and just when I started to think I could start to sympathize with her...I get to the end of the scene, where she starts being a cold b*tch again. (_) With only three chapters left, I wonder if it'll be even /remotely/ possible for my opinion of Setsuka to be completely (and permanently) turned around?

Ritsuka yelling at Chichiri in a men's bathhouse. Amazing. 'Nuff said. (XD)

Lol, but seriously, I was really expecting her to at least /attempt/ to drown him. (XD) Though it's interesting to see that, even as angry as she is, she still knows /exactly/ what to say to get a response out of him.

Also, Tasuki's "Me, a big tub-a water, an' you all pissed off? Sounds like a soggy death waitin' ta happen." and Tasuki & Ritsuka's comments on Chichiri's being "about as dumb as a brain-damaged jellyfish" when it comes to love made me laugh. Loudly. Which is not a great thing to do when it's 2 o' clock in the morning. (XDD) (As for /why/ I'm reading this at 2 o' clock in the morning...I'm being bad and stalling when I'm supposed to be studying. So thank you for providing me with something to distract myself with. (P))

The scenes between Tsuchi/Fuyuko, Houki, and Akai made me feel really bad for Tsuchi (and consequently, made me dislike Setsuna all the more), and I could really see where he was coming from, where he was actually /looking forward/ to being killed, because he saw death as a release. But Akai's speech to Tsuchi/Fuyuko, especially the part where he should find a way to give his life to Aoi and Kouji if he wanted to get rid of it so badly, was probably my favorite part of these scenes. I think it really showed how much Akai has grown since she was first introduced into the story, as well as how much she's had to go through and how it's changed her. Her line, telling him that he's a "stupid kid" if he thinks that /he's/ got it bad, really sums up the gap between Akai and Tsuchi/Fuyuko, even though they're the same age.

Chichiri's dream sequence was definitely well done. The interaction between "dream Kiori" and Chichiri felt so natural, like he was actually talking to /Kiori/, and not just his inner-self projected in the dream as Kiori. "Kiori's" point system of questioning was both amusing, and an effective way of shooting down the last bits of doubt, confusion, and excuses that Chichiri had. And of course, Chichiri's response to "Kiori's" question of whether or not he's in love with her made me grin and go: "Awwwwww...now if only he could say that to her face." (XD)

And of course, you couldn't go a single chapter without something bad happening. Of. Course. You. Couldn't. (-.-**) So now, after Chichiri /finally/ admits that he's in love with Kiori.../now/ you have Mizu kidnap her. And on top of that, I've got to wait until OCTOBER to see what happens? (-.-***) You're mean. Completely and utterly cruel. Grr. (_)

But regardless of this (extremely cruel) ending, I still think that this was an amazing chapter, and I'm sure that the next (and final, unfortunately (T.T)) three chapters will be even /more/ amazing than this one! (_)

I hope this was a long enough review to make up for the other two chapters that I didn't review! (;) As always, I'm looking forward to the next chapter! (_)

(On a completely unrelated note, you're not the only one who actually wanted Pokemon Apokelypse to be real, lol! (XDD) The CGs were horrible, but it's too funny for you to /not/ want it to be real! (XD) I wish that they'd at least put the deleted scenes up on YouTube or something; I heard that they cut out a lot of stuff from the trailer...Oh well, I guess in the end, it doesn't really matter, since it's not a real movie. (;))

Could I just give you a small smack for all the cliffhangers and all the times you made me cry with this story? I swear it wouldn't even leave a bruise. Well with the whole only know you on the internet thing I guess that would be kind of complicated, oh well.

Tasuki went stiff... lol lol lol... oh that would have been great! My mind lives in the gutter, it started renting out rooms a few years ago. It's more of a feat if you keep my mind so busy it forgets to go to the gutter. You usually do that pretty darn well.

Anyways good to know that Chiri and Kiori are the ones who everything depends on (pressure much?). It should be very interesting to see what happens. And I agree with Keisuke's reaction to the last chapter, very believable. (Especially since I kind of did the same thing...)

I'll be waiting for the next one and for the rest after that. Ja ne, Emily.

*cries hysterically* HOLY ! #% #$%.

Kiori: O_o (...I think the author broke her.)

Ritsuka: No, I think this one always reacts like this.

Three more chapters? That's it? AND INSTEAD OF POSTING THEM ALL AT ONCE SO YOU CAN FREE ME FROM THIS DRAMATIC TENSION, YOU MAKE ME WAIT UNTIL DECEMBER? HOW DARE YOU. I HOPE MY DRAMATIC CAPITALIZATION CAN PROPERLY CONVEY MY DISDAIN. If not, just picture a chibi turtle glaring daggers at you while wearing a frog hat (Yes, they actually make those. Who knows why). I feel you shaking in terror. As you should be DDD:

There. I've hope you've learned your lesson. Also-

(Random reaction to Rin's confession about Tasuki): Aww yeeeah... about time! UNTZ UNTZ UNTZ

Ritsuka: *rips Caps Lock off of keyboard and promptly burns it*

HOLY #$% #$%, UPDAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTE! ...Soon? As soon as possible? Please?

That is one of the worst cliffhangers ever, but the preview of the next episode was epic to the max!

It sounds like it's ending soon and that makes me a bit sad. I still think this is the greatest Fushigi Yuugi fanfic I've read period and should be an official sequel. Keep it up!

OMG! When he's finally opened his eyes Setsuka just HAD to send poor Mizu-chan in there! STUPID STUPID SETSUKA! Please, you've gotta update soon! I'm hyperventilating here!

Dearest Dee-chan,

YOU WROTE MORE FLUFF! I LOVE YOU! -glomp- The Double Sevens party was wonderful! I remembered about the book thinger that Tasuki got Chichiri, but I was dying when Houki started to comment on the ropes and pulleys thing. XD I would have wanted to crawl under a rock and die right there.

Tasuki is a dummy. What else is new? Well, at least he is a good-looking dummy. That helps quite a lot, ne? My eyes did bug out, though, when Yuki came out of Ritsu's room. Oh my, oh my lolz. Poor guy. The whole area of FEELINGS is so foreign to him.

I must say, even though I know how the old version ended before you decided to revamp the story, I've still got my fingers crossed for Chichiri and Kiori. I think they are my favorite couple. I mean, I have made my own character for him and after so long it is hard to picture him with anyone else's OC, but with Kiori I can definitely see it, and approve! You know what I mean, I'm sure. XD And she omnomed him! For good luck, of course. (Sure...) And he liked it! -squee!- He says he doesn't know what to do about the FEELINGS part, but he still liked it! Mwahahaha! That's all she needs to reel him in. He's not getting away. (And I know; I've read this before, teehee.)

-Hugs all the members of the RAFT, those in Konan and Takkan.- But the ones in Konan had it a little easier in this chapter, huh? Man... That's tough stuff. I felt so bad for them. It wasn't pity, more like I wished I could do something to help. Death and betrayal are never easy. It takes a lot of fortitude, but that doesn't even begin to sum up how much. Again, having a general idea of what happens already kinda has me at ease. All the same, I wish them all the best of luck.

And I forgot to mention this before, and haven't for a while, being on hiatus and such, but Setsuka freaking creeps me out. It makes her a good villain, but still. Just...muh! -shudder- Good job with that, eheh.

I'm juiced now. I really wanna catch up and this weekend might be a window of opportunity to do so. We'll see. And even though I know you've written further ahead than I have read, happy writing/brainstorming and may you meet no creative blocks, because they are not fun, as you may well know.

Your anxious-to-read-more-but-bogged-down-with-school-work friend,

-Amaya

Hooray for RAFT! Honestly, when they first came out, I was all (Whuuut!) and then lol'd. But then you got serious with the characterization and everything and now IT'S TOTALLY EPIC! Thank you for rewriting this (I haven't read the original, but this is a really good story). You've done such a great job.

I must admit, though, that I was a little skeptical of Kita and Aji at first. I always thought he was just fooling around, incorrigible flirt that he is. But the proposal scene was sweet and unexpected, and it totally added a wistful flare, given the revolution and everything.

Haha. Tori is the Minister of Justice's SON! He's such a goof!

I have got so many things to say, probably bundled up from the first chapter up until now. Looking back...wow. So many things have happened and quite a number of people have died. Can't say I regret their deaths, though those were the tearjerkers.

Haa...When will Kiori and Chichiri finally go beyond that awkward kiss? I can't wait. Monk-man sure knows how to take his time with the ladies... Tasuki and Ritsuka were pretty cute, too. Even though I wanted to scream at the unfairness of the Konan system. Meh. I should have known better.

Ja, ja, I'll be waiting for more chapters to come. And don't worry about the length. They read smoothly, and before you realize it, poof! the chapter's through. Go update!

(PS. I have a crush on Yuki.)

Yoohoo!

Yes! It is I! Come back to leave you a review because I had the spare time! Yay! And who doesn't love those deus ex machinas, huh? After all, Chichiri is one XD

And let me say how much I have missed reading this story! I nearly embarrassed myself a couple times laughing at the mental images you evoke in my brain. People were looking at me all like, "...um..." before scooting away or pretending not to notice me. It's funny.

KYAAAAH! Fluff! Fluff! Honest to goodness fluff! Kyaaaah! -hugs you- I was delighted with that! Ohmanohmanohman... I've been in a real fluffy mood these past couple days, doodling cutesy things with my fav. OTPs from various anime but now, now I shall have to include my fav. fanfic pairings as well, though I don't know when I shall find the time to do all of this, with school slamming me into a wall repetitively, and it's all your fault and I luv you. -deep intake of breath- Purely platonic, of course XD

I was really sad Otoo-san died. I remember it was different from the original you had posted up. A lot of this chapter was different, but in a good way. Still made me sad about him, and Kita getting hurt. And scary Aji is scary. Though, with that idiot Iyasu being in the slammer, I wonder how he's gonna exact revenge? Hope Aji will be safe.

Joss Whedon is amazing, certainly.

It makes me laugh at how you've taken to have Ritsuka give nicknames to everyone. I do like Yuki_ Him's a big flirt just like his bro.

And I'm so glad that you live. The story wouldn't complete itself, you know XD I shall try to read the newer chapters as soon as possible. Keep it going!

-Ama

Wait. Wait, wait, wait ,wait wait. HUH!

Hooooly crap. What a way to end the chapter! I think if I looked in a dictionary for the word 'drama' it would say 'go and read the fanfiction "Fushigi Yuugi: The Next Chapter" ' O.o

Dude I want to smack a monk! I know he's just being him with his whole room full of issues but... damit!

Sorry had to get that out, first sorry for taking so long in reading it, I ended up visiting Montana for two weeks and didn't have much computer time. Nice chapter moves things along nicely and we get to Tori act like an even bigger idiot always fun. While I admit that I am somewhat disappointing because I would have loved to read the Not Date, but I'll just have to resign myself to waiting. Oh well it will be a happy and possible short wait since it took me so long to read this chapter. :D

Random question time: in a previous chapter I swore you mentioned that Ritsuka dyed her hair red and the roots were beginning to show. Shouldn't she be looking like a spotted puppy by now (and wouldn't one of the Konan natives question it)? D: