Lovely story. After watching Shinsengumi, Okita's gotten to be one of my favorites of that period. It's nice to see an RK fic featuring him. Very in-character too.

I wish I knew as much history as you do! Another amazing story! Very nicely written! I loved it! Great job! I love stories with these types of plots. It was nice to see an author I respect write it!

Interesting, and, dare I even say it, cute. I liked the mood in this piece, and the buildup in the first half, creating this somber atmosphere. The action scene, was great (even though there were some POV violations, for example "Okita omitted a soft curse"). I like also how you strive for the precise in your descriptions rather than the fancy. The imagery of Okita looking like Tomoe weirded me out a bit though, I must say ~.~ I just can't picture Okita with the same expressionless look. Finally, I really adored when Kenshin realized he was being pompous and became more realistic with "And I didn't like the other guys much." And the end with Saitou looking where Kenshin was reminded me of the OVA.

Sorry you are still having troubles with your writer's block. I think it's kinda normal though, you generally need some time between two novel-length stories. Just keep writing like you are now, that's the most important .

One shots are never pointless - I absolutely loved this one. Okita is always interesting; Okita and Kenshin teaming up? Brilliant.

(Adds to her favourites)

Hiya! This is a really wonderful one-shot! I loved it! It's so nice of Kenshin(I luv you Ken-nii! _) to help out Okita...or else it would have been the end of our little Shinsengumi captain...and it wasn't the tuberculosis that killed him...wait, it was the tuberculosis that killed him, although it was in a indirect manner. And it would have been very funny to see Ken-chan helping Okita into the Shinsengumi headquarters- just imagine the looks on the faces of all the captains, especially Saitou...he he...

Anyway, I have read your other fics, and they are all awesome! Rock on! _x

You've really draw a vivid, colorful tableau in this! Your level and accuracy of detail are almost visible on the page. Phrases like "his sandals skidding to a stop on the filthy cobblestones", "snoring drunks too poor to rob", "with dark alley openings between them like missing teeth in a mouth" are just masterful.

(A tiny note: your description of the half-moon alley was amazing! It's very difficult to describe unusual physical sites, especially in a way that doesn't break the flow or distract the reader with mental gymnastics. Congratulations!)

I also admired how easily and naturally you worked into this story the last conversation between Kenshin and his master.

"The dance of death had its own music, and it played on in the darkness behind the Gion District lights and gaiety." What a GREAT sentence! It has everything: poetry, contrast, sound, color, spiritual burden.

And this bit of action: "Kenshin turned and struck upward diagonally, his sword cutting across the man’s torso in a killing stroke. A warm spray of blood dashed over his chest" Have you seen Akira Kurosawa's movie "Sanjuro"? This is exactly how the last life is taken in that movie. I mean, EXACTLY! (If you do want to watch it, watch "Yojimbo" first; they are kind of Part 1 and Part 2.)

I REALLY liked Kenshin's thought, "The words sounded foolish and pretentious now that he was saying them instead of Hiko". Those words ARE pretentious, even when they are sincere. They always bothered me a little, and I appreciated your treatment of that aspect.

"For a second, Saitoh’s face turned toward the maple tree where Kenshin stood." Of COURSE it did-this is The Wolf, we're talking about, right? *grin*

Your ending is just right, in my opinion, as well. No bang, no histrionics, just fading into the night shadows, as they all did, eventually, eh?

Both Souji and Kenshin in the same fic? Nice! _ Really just a one shot though? :( It's so rare to see both my fave characters together in a piece so well written. Anou... arigatou!

Hehe, I told you writing one-shots can help with writer's block! YAY for an action piece! *dances* This was very nicely done - the action was quite easy to visualize, and the characterizations were very spot-on (at least, IMHO). I loved it! Great job, and although I hope you get over your writer's block soon, I definitely wouldn't mind reading more of these from you. ;)

~Baka

Nah! Historically, that would be the right place for Kyoto's crime district. Granted, it would be a tad farther away. I read somewhere that the slums of Kyoto where just on the other side of a river from the Gion district. That's where the people who couldn't afford Gion Geisha went for *cough* fun. *conks self on head* Okay, enough history stuff from me.

Yet again, I love the story. I think you pictured both Kenshin and Okita perfectly. Hope to see another story soon! Ja!

Interesting. I enjoyed the story. It seems to be a rather popular plot to have some sort of meeting between Kenshin and Okita where one or both learn that the other one isn't evil, or have some respect-building experience. However, this isn't a bad thing. Surprisingly enough, most of the ones I've seen are different enough from the others to make them stand out. This one is no exception. I really liked how you had Kenshin remembering what Hiko had told him and understanding what he had meant. Unfortunately is was a case of "too little, too late," but that's just how the story goes. Although, I do have to say, my favorite part of this story would have to be this:

“Do you want me to take you to them?” Kenshin asked reluctantly.

A mischievous expression lightened Okita’s eyes. “I’d love to see Saitoh’s face if you marched into headquarters with me...

Heck, I think that look on Saito's face would almost be worth Kenshin taking Okita home! Anyway, great job!

*squeals in delight* You wrote this awesome fic for me? I've never had anyone do that for me before... I'm very honoured. Thank you so much! XD

The fic was great - I'd have loved to be a fly on the wall if Okita *did* tell Saitou the truth about the night. I mean, imagine the expression on Saitou's face on learning that his best friend (They are, right? I'm taking a chance here - they *are* shown a lot together in the OVAs) owed his life to his nemesis. :p

Kenshin struggling with himself over whether or not to help Okita just before the fighting started was very nicely thought out. That, as well as the reasoning for the decision that he makes. And Hiko was mentioned! And Okita and Kenshin fighting back to back - good stuff, good stuff.

I loved it! *hugs you* I hope that the writer's block is wearing away... if it isn't, you could always watch the OVAs again for inspiration. I find that I, for one, never tire of doing that. XD All the best!

Great job! I love the idea of Kenshin rescuing Okita... That was pretty neat :)

Wow. Amazing. You are such an amazing writer that I can't help but be taken by surprise that you would enjoy my inadequate work. I love this story and am adding it to my favorites right now. I'd even go as far as to say that I love you! (In an admiring sort of way, nothing weird. XD)