Gahhh, I'm TRYING to catch up! But you and mouse are being so prolific - I think I spotted a new chapter of Blackbird PLUS another chapter of The Last Wish, which I've been MEANING to get back to - Gahhhhhh!

Anyway, back to this fic. I really liked this chapter - it was quiet, not so dramatic as the last, but intriguing. Lau is a fascinating character - he seems kind, perceptive - but there is still enough mystery around him that I, like Nuriko, am not quite sure what to make of him.

Ah, well, great work as usual, and I'm looking forward to more in this storyline. Hey, waitaminute - did I just bitch at the beginning of this review about you writing TOO MUCH? I must be stupid! (slaps self)

Ja ne!

Wai! o. This is gooood, I can't wait for more! *huggles Nuriko* why do you fic writers always give him a hard time? ;_;. (but wouldn't it get boring if you didn't?;;;) by the way, I like Lao so far. . Its hard to stick in a new char. & have people like him.

I found the perfect song to listen to while reading this fic, at least for me: Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car," the six-and-a-half minute long accoustic version. The song's all about hoping for hope and looking for a better life, but it never really comes true... It just fits it very well somehow. At least for me. Music is very important to me when I read or write.

This fic is beautiful in its very depression. I can't help but feel Nuriko's pain in myself, and everything he's feeling is something I can relate to. It's so real, and so sadly wonderful Ryu-chan. Yes, I'd like to see updates on your other fics, but don't forget this one.

(Mou, I feel out of the loop. I updated on Sunday instead of Monday _)

As I mentioned on the "Risen" review page, I love the funny opening summary.

You've set up a weighty plot, with lots of emotional possibilities. Unlike a lot of fics, I have no idea where you are going with this - and that is a good thing! I'm intrigued by this Lau character.

more later,

Aikido-chan

the court scene was very well done. if i were sai, i'd wanna spend the day in bed with nuri-babe too, but alas! duty calls and all... _

lao is definitely going to be an interesting player. hopefully, his aide will guide sai and nuri-babe out of this darkness...

_

thanks!

trixie

gah, i loved the risen summary!

oh, poor depressed nuri-babe...

but hotohori is SUCH a sweet boyfriend! _

hee, one more fic can't hurt... _

thanks!

trixie

*Nuriko Torturer of the Month Award!* Congratulations, and please accept the award on behalf of the Oustanding Unsuspecting Character Hurters (OUCH). Wear it with pride! Oh...and, on a sidenote, don't forget to provide your tortured character with ample psychiatric care in the aftermath of his ordeal. We don't want psychos running around. *nod* We here at OUCH wish to congratulate you on yet another astounding fic endeavor.

Hotohori: **snatching Nuriko away** MONSTER! Why can't you just leave us alone?

Nuriko: **traumatized**

_ Keep it up! More more! (not to be confused with...Moero MOERO!)

Ahhh, angst. Nothing like it in the world _ But I feel guilty for delighting in the mental torture of Nuriko-sama. Oh well...I'm sure this'll have a happy ending, like your other fic 'And Then It Changes', ne? Hope this fic makes it all the way!

-Sano

Continue Continue! If I ask veeeeeerry politely will you at one point make this a lemon no da? *Nice happy grin* Just think about fluffly puppies and man porn. XD *Giggles* If anybody asks.. Nobu sent me? Of course. Continue Continue. Or I will have to resue to e-mailing you, stalking you. Sending my horrible art and other random idems. Please continue and all will go peachy. Mm. *Cling* Bai Bi!

Damn, Ryuen, another powerful, emotional piece. Your descriptions just keep getting more evocative in every new chapter of each fic, and I feel myself being drawn into this world of the pre-war Imperial Palace.

Both Nuriko's and Hotohori's emotions are powerful and raw, and I could just feel the level of despair that Nuriko was sinking into. I especially liked the way you used run-on words to accurately convey the torrent of jumbled thoughts that were running through Nuriko's mind. I also LOVE this storyline, showing the complications that would have ensued should Hotohori have acknowledged his love for Nuriko in the actual series. Well done so far, and I am truly intrigued to see more.

And about the suicidal thoughts - I never meant to imply that suicidal urges should never be portrayed in fanfiction - I just meant that I didn't care for light and shallow depictions of suicide that show it to be a pretty neat way to solve a personal problem. You have of course veered far from that pitfall, and have done an excellent job of showing the realistic mental torture that goes on in the mind of a borderline suicidal person. Once again, well done, and I congratulate you.

I am, of course, looking forward to more in this storyline. Hey, you, me and Mouse all posted on the same day - the convention must have inspired us all! Talk to you soon!

Ja ne!

yay! a sequel to 'Risen'! Very good start, poor Nuriko...eh, cutting. bad. Can see why though. Very awesome, can't wait for the next chapter! (of this and many others...-)