The lunch, the casualty of the two make it look so natural, so normal, so real :)

And it really is quite believable that she should start slipping into violence like that *has violent tendencies herself*

*remembers such scenes*

*mumble 'm n idiot mumble*

*is a bit afraid of the werewolf inside*

So, yeah, I relate to both of them, in two different ways.

I should be off to bed now, but there's the unfortunate disadvantage of this story having many other chapters that I want to read...

omg, the crack! I love the crack!

I don't hate Rukia. Don't worry. :) *gets fan-starry-eyed and runs off to read more*

This... is brilliant.

"ajigonomi: A child's snack, a mix of crackers and peanut-based items together with tiny fish" - this sounds utterly disgusting.

Oh, my. I'd never have pictured Rukia as the abusing kind... And Bya-kun is so wonderful when he wants to take care of things.

I haven't been into Bleach that much yet but honestly, I had to postpone several episodes of watching the anime just so I can read your fic. There was a difficulty in trying to understand Bleach characters whom I have yet to see in the anime interact but it was a welcome challenge.

Your story is very realistic and thought provoking. I can understand your POV on picking Rukia for the abuser. She's is one of the best female characters I've seen on anime and I don't begrudge you for pushing her in a negative light and killing her. It was necessary for the plot, I can see. As for the pairing, I've been drawn to Byakuya's character first because he is beautiful and his standoffish, regal behaviour is often shaken by Ichigo's gruffness-from what I have gleaned of forums and slowly from the anime, in a rather clairvoyant POV. Writing a dependable father and mature Ichigo is I think one of your highlights in the story. It revolves around his strength to move on and be decisive at trying times. I like that he puts his children on his priority and his acceptance of his love for Byakuya didn't exploded in a big bang of denial. The lack of lemon, is a bit of a letdown. I think inserting one in the epilogue or somewhere at the end would've still worked out. There are variations of lovemaking scene but I can understand from your stance as the writer. Perhaps it's also the frustration of finding a quality NC17 Byakuya/Ichigo fic.

Thank you for sharing this. :)

I can't say how many times I have seen this fic on AFF and declined to read; nothing against Rukia or Ichigo or Byakuya-and definitely not against you as you have mad skills as a writer! But I found myself at a loss of what to do today, and someone rec'd this on LJ...and so here I am.

You weave such evocative stories-but I'm sure I have told you that before. *grins* Rukia as abusive-it's different, and really all-too-imaginable. I can see that her frustrations would be channeled onto Ichigo, and he, being the man that he is, would take it-without coming across as weak. The way you capture the realities of domestic violence, as well as having it be the wife instead of the husband being the abuser-well, it's a very valid exploration of a dark theme that isn't as cut-and-dried as some people would like to believe.

I commend you on the skill of this story, and will probably sit here all night reading, because I am thoroughly hooked. So, thank youfor writing this.

Yes, Senbonzakura is a guy. He actually looks a lot like Byakuya, but he wears samurai armor.

This story is really good, I didn't think it would be, but it is! It's interesting, I don't think it's going too slow. It's great!

*Cracks knuckles* ah where to start XD

First of all this is my second time reading this (I apologise for not reviewing the first time round...I read most fanfic on my blackberry and it is hard to review on that..)

I am currently going through all the bleach fanfic I can find re reading old favourites and your fic stuck strongly enough in my mind for me to actively seek it out and find it again. I remember reading this when it was actively being updated...I don't usually read WIP as I like finishing stories XD however I honestly looked forward to each and every update the first time around and this time I was sad to know it was finished and could no longer look forward to the updates XD

I'll admit I was disappointed when I realised there would be no Bya/Ichi smut (I am a firm believer the M rating is for smut not language/violence etc but that is neither here not there XD) however as the story progressed I found myself agreeing with you more and more. It would simply be incorrect to write a lemon into this, somehow cheapening the level of emotion you've built up, and nullifying Ichigo's continued love for Rukia. Even in the epilogue the small hints that they are happily married and have been for a good 30 or 40 years is enough.

I am a lot like you in that I often write characters I like/have no particular feelings about as the 'evil' in the story. It is all about finding the personalities to fit your plot, and Rukia was a perfect match, there is no 'Rukia bashing here' in fact I think you've been very kind to her, I felt sorry for the entire time and understood entirely how she felt, if not the way she dealt with it. Given my dislike for most female characters that's quite a feat XD (although I’ll admit I have a soft spot for Rukia as far as anime females go XD).

The portrayal of all the characters in fact was darkly realistic. it was almost like 'what if bleach was real world rather than semi comedic anime'.

Rukia's amusing violence is portrayed in the dark light it would actually be in real life

Ichigo devotion and unwillingness to raise a hand against a woman and someone he loves is accurate both to his character and again how it would translate into a real world marriage.

Shunsui is portrayed (however much in the background) as the alcoholic he would be in the real world.

As well as the ageing of Ichigo's family and the problems they would face especially those involved with shinigami.

Often writers who write abuse fics make the mistake of making the abuser far to over the top and abusee far too weak. In your case Ichigo is never portrayed as weak or 'emo' and Rukia is never made out to be sadistic. Neither is seeking attention from those around them and both are trying to fix the problem before it gets out of hand. Ichigo wants nothing more than to have his family back and stop Rukia from bearing the brunt of the accusations. I feel perhaps slightly more explanation from Rukia as to her feelings and reasoning may have been appropriate as at times a lot was left for the reader to 'read between the lines' and (maybe I’m just dense XD) I got it wrong a few times which lead to confusion later on.

Despite my dislike for het pairings and the fact I was really looking forward to some bya/ichi I’m still uncertain about their relationship. I loved the way it turned out, and I wholeheartedly enjoyed the plot you have here. But part me is still unsure if Ichigo would truly reach out for Byakuya so soon after everything. Bearing in mind he still loves her and he is worried about how his children will react (I mean Kaien blew up when he thought Jyuu was going to get a new fukutaicho..XD)

That said it was written beautifully and made the transition from dancing around each other secretly knowing but never admitting to actually confirming very natural.

On the other hand Rukia practically gave her blessing and no one else in Seireitei seemed to mind XD Byakuya himself was written wonderfully, often I find people portray him as too uncaring…forgetting he most likely is drastically different with those he cares about. He never pushes his feelings onto Ichigo and is genuinely happy for his sister and him.

The OC’s you created for Ichi’s children were again fantastic, obviously the twins were far to young to really have any character as such XD but Syaoran and Kaien were amazing mixes of Rukia and Ichi’s personality with a little bit of Byakuya in there for good measure, I’m still not certain how old they were exactly :S but they were characterised very well I never ever felt like they were being to childish or to mature for the situation or acting anything other than a couple kids caught up in a domestic abuse/divorce situation would.

Perhaps the only thing I disagree with is Renji/Orihime…I just cant seem to put them together..o)…but that’s mostly irrelevant I always think side pairings are all about the authors personal taste and don’t make much impact on the main plot XD

I apologise for the small essay I’ve just spammed you with ;…I get carried away, plus I felt a story I had enjoyed so much deserved the effort of a proper review…although reading back it mostly reads like a book club discussion /

The last few chapters got all caught up in my imagination and I’m semi in the process of drawing out a couple scenes I cant seem to shift from my head XD once again my imagination has run away leaving my skill set behind though so I don’t know how well that will turn out…;;. With you permission (and of course credit) if I ever get anything done I’d like to post them?

And despite the flames being a long time ago, for what it’s worth ignore them. People like that simply aren’t worth your time, with the multitude of positive reviews I read you have nothing to worry about. And if the worst they can find to say is ‘I think you hate Rukia’ then they REALLY aren’t worth the effort. Now I’m gonna go raid the rest of your profile XD

Ran-chan

emotional...

An interesting peek at the inner workings of a fic. Thanks, Author, for sharing your talent, and your thought processes, with us.

A very sweet ending to a lovely story: apt, elegaic, wonderful. I'm so sad to be done with this fic.

Sweet. Fitting, also, for the end to Rukia and Ichigo.

So we meet JyuuZuru's daughter ... warm and squishy all around ... his own grandmother is very likely scarier than any Espada Byakuya has ever faced. Another great chapter, twenty-five now (by 's count) in all.

The unexpected bittersweetness of this chapter contrasts well with the pain of the others, and the moments of unadulterated love shown his children by Ichigo and by Byakuya.

Still rings true emotionally. One hopes that the author has had to suffer nothing like this in her own life; it would be devastating. She describes it so very clearly that it would not surprise any intelligent reader to find that she had. Great stuff, great stuff.