WoW! It has been a time, that's for sure. This story is much beloved and I want you to know that you are a truly gifted story teller and had me spellbound many a night over the years. I had to sequester myself away so I could read it all from beginning to end once more. I loved the wrap up too, Using Aijo's POV got a lot of the necessary details out of the way and made the point that she and Daisuke are part of Kenshin's painful past not his future, I think it was important to have them be in a good place as Kenshin would want but not part of his day-to-day life. He needs to find his strength again and you showed that beautifully in chapter 35. I loved every bit of the scenes in the dojo, from Kaoru's wicked images of bashing Hiko, Kenshin's raised eyebrow, his quiet but slowed talking, his reaching for Kaoru's hand, all show the personal resilience of them both yet with subtle changes as Kenshin comes back to himself. As Hiko humorous but resentful comment shows, he is less guarded, more aware of and open to his emotions with both Kaoru and Hiko. I love that you show the affect on Hiko as well. The three tries to pay Kenshin on the head was just right but even better was Hiko supporting him to go for a walk. Part of me missed having more of Sano but that off screen bit with Sano and Yahiko doing god-knows-what was also just right. Finally, putting an end to the all aspects of the curse, with the end of the short-shifter just underlined that they were all victims now finally free with the all the attendant opportunities and risks. A very fitting end with a bow on it.

Thank you again for sharing your wonderful imagination with us. I hope you will find an easier path ahead and I hope you will never lose that wonderful voice.

Amazing! I've read brother of dragons a few years ago but never stopped by to read your other stories. I'm so glad you got to finish this one because I've thoroughly enjoyed it! You were able to write from all different perspectives which is extremely difficult I find. :) and Hiko and Kenshin's relationship here was the icing on the cake! _

I dont know if you will ever be able to read this. But i wanted you to know that this is one of the most thought out, beautifully paced, full of emotion story i have read. Please have the courage to write and publish your own book. I would be first in line to buy it. How ever long that takes.

This is my favorite chapter. Everything about his recovery is excellent. The only thing missing (not really, just saying) is how frustrating this must be for Kenshin, inside his heart/mind, to be so weak and needy. I think his inner strength shows through when he stands up to Karoru's refusal to let him go train. Their interaction there shows a lot about their relationship going forward. Also, Hiko saying his idiot pupil can't get anything right and has ended up seeming younger instead of being aged by his trauma is priceless! Made me smile.

Freedom for all, as it should be. I like that the widow was happy to have the death of her husband (or baby daddy) verified. Also, a nice touch about the feeling of power from the crystal.

Wonderful ending to this! Loved this story and now it's neatly tied up. Well done.

Beautifully told story. I started reading this year and am thrilled it is complete. Thank you.

I was eighteen when you began this story, and I followed it almost from the beginning. I lost track of it sometime around 2009, and I didn't find it again until this past winter (with new chapters!). Mindsifter captured my imagination with allusions to Greek mythology and the fall of Icarus, but it was your obvious love for the characters that brought it back to mind again and again over the past eleven years. I always hoped I'd get to read the end of it someday.

Every time I remembered this story over the years, I thought of you (kind stranger), and I hoped that you were well and finding happiness. I'm so sorry that you had to go through so much while you were writing it. Thank you for finishing, and thank you for sharing part of yourself with us. Thank you for the journey-it was well worth taking, and worth every minute of the wait.

I am so glad to have been along for this ride. I will, of course, have to re-read it, for the flow, but it was a marvelous journey. And you finished it. That is why I really love to hold out for some of the unfinished works; they were once loved and are usually well worth the wait.

Thank you for sharing your talent even through your worst times.

Take good care.

AM

Mindsifter is finished! And in such a beautiful and simple way! And your heartfelt message at the end was as heart-wrenching as this story. I can't imagine the pain of widowhood, though it was almost my reality last year. All of 2015 was carrying for my husband while he went through cancer treatment. He's recovering now, but until the halfway point we weren't sure if the heavy treatment was effective enough. I actually read this story while he was getting his chemo. As simple and silly as it seems when compared to other aspects of life, thank you for finishing this story. I've thoroughly enjoyed the time and detail you've put into creating this fantasy as well as the emotional turmoil it created in me (why do we like experiencing unhappy emotions?! Thank God it's just fiction). May the rest of your days be filled with peace and pleasantness!

You've been through a horrendous amount, and I am frankly in admiration that you managed to come back to finish this beautiful work at all. Because it is beautiful; original, tugging at the heart and the gut, I'm honoured to have been able to edit this for you. Trust me, it's so I got to read it first. ;)

I'll always be willing to edit any future stories you do, even if I never get back to writing myself. (But I hope so. I'll use you as an inspiration.)

YOU FINISHED IT! CONGRATULATIONS!
A great story and beautifully written. *standing applause.
It's been a long journey, it was a great ride.
I hope you are doing well and look forwards to checking out any other stories you may write.

Yay, you finished the story! Congratulations! The last chapter of course just reminded me of how beautiful the story was: with little gems like Kaoru saying that Kenshin made the quickest and clearest explanations when she's threatening him with a shinai, Kenshin wanting another chance to be Hiko's son, and, of course, the "one step at a time" which truly harkens back to so many themes in the story. Perhaps I should read the story again. :)

I was a bit surprised that Hiko stayed for what appears to be many months after the event, but if he's going to try to be like a father to Kenshin, then I guess it makes sense (can't imagine how many times he wished he was back in his quiet, secluded cabin when living with Sano, Kaoru, and Yahiko). Kaoru having more patience was another shock. ;) But the best part of all, Kenshin and Aoshi figure out on their own how to beat the Mindshifter's power.

The Epilogue isn't be sowing the seeds for a sequel, is it? Hmmm... Well regardless of what you do in the future, I hope that no matter what happens you continue to write, for you have a gift for it. (I've read quite a number of your other stories!) Thank you for writing this beautiful and heart wrenching tale!

Thank you so much for finishing this! I know I haven't waited NEAR as long as many to read these last chapters, but I still could hardly wait! You have some INCREDIBLE talent, and I'm SOOOOO happy to see it finished! Keep it up! :D

Keio

Awesome story! Thanks for finishing it.