Aw, wow that was a sweet ending to a fine chapter. I really enjoyed the last few chapters, from the gang finally getting to Kenshin, there concern for him in their own ways, to Bayushi and Kenshin's last confrontation, and heh, I really enjoyed Kenshin's coldness with Senzo-take that you miserable money loving freak! _

That was awesome! I love the action scenes, it's so interesting to see how Kenshin would fight half dead and without a sword. lol, you write it very well, and convincingly too! Bayushi's hesitation, his slight compassion, his hesitation..he is indeed conflicted. And as for Yamato he just frustrates me. I really enjoyed Kenshin smashing the rcie bowl into his face, hee hee! _ I love the Kenshingumi teaming up with the Oniwaban to rescue Kenshin. You write Aoshi and Misao so wonderfully! _ Well, can't wait to see what happens next!

Ha ha! Take that, Senzo! _ I really enjoyed these last few chapters. Misao and Aoshi's different ways of trying to help-and of course the presence of Saitou is always a reason for enjoyment. _ I found Bayushi's conversation with Kenshin to be very engrossing, and I believe Kenshin nailed it when he was telling him why Bayushi was hesitating to kill him. Can't wait for the next chapter, looks like Senzo's got some more confessing to do. He ouldn't want to be on the end of Aoshi's kodachi, that he wouldn't! _

Oh wow. Things have definitely got interesting now..I absolutely love how Kenshin was pretending to be asleep and then he just smashed Senzo over the head. Ha, take that! _ I am really enjoying the action scenes in this story, despite your protests of how hard they are to write! :p But oh dear...Shishio sama? So he's one of 'those'? And so the plot thickens! Can't wait to read more...

*pumps fist in air* Go Yahiko and Kaoru! _ That was a very gripping past chapter, and I love how Kaoru just came in..things were looking bad indeed for Yahiko so I'm glad that turned out alright. (Sweet Tsubame... _)

I'm relieved to know they took the sakabatou off that jerk Yoshida. And ah, back to poor Kenshin. I'm sure he'll come up with a plan to free himself soon...

This Senzo is really one of the most intriguing OCs I've ever read. I can't say whether I positively hate him or not. He's a bit of a blurry one...but that just makes me all the more interested in him, and his intents.

“Before you curse my name, Himura-san, I would like you to know one thing. Anyone who studies you will know almost immediately what your greatest weakness is. I may not be the most honourable of men, but at least I did not attack you through your woman.”

I have nothing to say. Nothing at all. That was just...perfect. Senzo, you infuriate me very much. And yet, you have some honour...He is very different from Yoshida.

Can't wait to read more!

Oh! *bounces up and down with excitement* And so the plot thickens! You capture Sanosuke so perfectly it's just...*sigh* heaven. He he, Senzo is in for it. *grin* I loved the end bit of that scene. It just seems so Sano, lol.

And then the exchange between Yahiko and Kaoru, that was definitely touching. I love how you captured the deep caring that exists between the two. And ek, Yahiko! And the sheath! Obviously Kenshin's... can't wait to read more, I do hope the little gaki will be ok!

_

This is such a wonderfully written story!

Ah, I thought Senzo was a suspicious character, but I can't for the life of me figure him out. lol. Kenshin should have been more wary...

I hope Sano is able to find more answers...

I really enjoyed the fight, and how Kenshin manages to do some damage, even if he is poisoned. (reminds me of that pirate episode.. _)

Can't wait to read more!

*does happy dance* :P

well i finally was able to finish reading this.. you have no idea how long its taken me hehe well just so you know... I LOVED this whole story... hehe thx for providing a wonderful fan fic to read.

Jackie

I have never really cared for omake (?) but I enjoyed this one. Probably because I really enjoyed this story. I loved the half naked, bare-footed, fight scenes. I was moved by the jail cell confrontation between Kenshin and Senzo and struck by the inferred similarities in the terms 'assassin' and 'slave dealer' (hitokiri / hitokai).

But what I especially look forward to is a possible story from you on a return of Yoshida Koujiro. Bring Kenshin's worry to an end.

Thank you for writing.

AM

Great story! I love it! Please update ASAP!

Back! And I have now finished the most exciting five chapters yet!

Sano was done very well. He stuck out for me through these last five, the strengths and weaknesses of his personality played well. Temper, Sano, temper... :)

And then we have Kenshin and Senzo duking it out in gray matter! Poor Senzo, he's just going to have to accept how nearly impossible it is to beat out Kenshin's absolute brilliance. I do feel sorry for him, though. You've really crafted him into an unfairly likeable character. XD Is it bad for me to say he's one of my favorite OC's ever? *shrug*

I loved the whole thing with how Kenshin broke off of the ship. And all that dreamy hair down and doubtlessly swishing around whenever he moves... *drool*

So now he encounters (dum da da DUM) the evil police peoples! What happens next? Must read on!

Peace,

Lilacs

*chuckles* I'm glad you had so much fun writing this. Not just the omake (spelling?) but the whole thing. That's fundamentally the most important thing in fanfiction, ne? Well, of course there are the readers too... But I daresay not one of us readers/reviewers have any real complaints to make. This was one ridiculously well-done piece. I would try to offer you better praise or critique except for the fact that...well, you see, you're way out of my league. There's honestly not much I can say beyond, "I love it; I've never read anything like it; I will reread this at least a dozen times in my life; and I will be dogging you for the rest of your life." A very cursory summation of it, but I really shouldn't take up too much space with my ranting.

At the moment, I am thrilled with "Snowblind" and incredibly excited for the upcoming chapters. As brilliant as "Tanabata" is, I can already tell that "Snowblind" is going to be better. Your writing really does improve as you go on. And besides, who could resist a fic directly involving Saitou and Kenshin? Those two...ahh... oh right. No ranting. Terribly sorry about that. But honestly, fantastic fantastic work. Omasuoniwabanshu recommended your works, and I am ever so grateful to her. Cheers!

So, I just realized the other day that I haven't reviewed your last chapter... and I kicked myself. So much for faithful reviewing...

Anyway, this story was brilliant, Nekotsuki. Enough detail, plot twists, and other individual moments that made me come back for more (the omake included - that was brilliant, too!). Kenshin's final confrontation with the villian was pure Rurouni Kenshin; to the point, and totally alarming to Senzo (ever notice that trend in the anime?), and eventually life altering... until a sequal decides to show its face. Of course, that never happened in the anime either. Unless you're Gohei, I guess...

Anyway, I recommended this story to a friend, and she loved it just as much as I did. You really did do a great job with this one, and I hope to see more fics from you in the future! Also, thanks for reviewing 'Reflections'! I really appreciated that! (I can't remember if I've thanked you or not... oops...)

On another note, congratulations on your nominations in the RKRC Awards! I was thrilled to see your name in so many catagories. I hope to have your success someday! (ha again)

Excellent job and congratulations again!

Sean Montgomery

Oh, poor Kenshin! Poor Kaoru! Poor EVERYONE! *sniff, sniff* I hope he gets better.

Kaoru's new mature attitude is quite consistent with the end-of-Shishio-arc Kaoru, yeshyesh. One thing that for me didn't seem to fit her character was the nearly eloquent speech pattern you gave her a few chapters back. For some reason I remember one sentence of hers in particular starting with, "I, for one," and I'm thinking that's a bit inconsistent with her feisty nature and all. But she is VERY well done here.

*gasp* Where has Yahiko gone? Who's the cloak guy? What's gonna happen?

Must read next chapter(s)!

Peace,

Lilacs

Evil or not, I thoroughly enjoyed Senzo's character and have my fingers crossed hoping for more of him. It was well-crafted and realistic; OC's like that can really bring a story to life.

He WAS evil, though, sheesh... poisoning sake... Mean Senzo!

The fight scene between the two of them was neat. I find in writing those that it helps to use a LOT of sensory details, such as the sound of someone's jagged breath giving away their position, the horrid scent of blood intruding upon [insert protagonist's name]'s nostrils, etc. They really beef it up and add interest.

And yipes, Kenshin ended up pretty hurt. Poor dude.

I loved the bit with Sano and Megumi at the clinic, "You're all heart," and so on. Fluffy seems a fitting term.

And, of course, Kaoru pounding the vegetables to a pulp in anger. That was very funny.

Great first five chapters!

Peace,

Lilacs