All caught up now. . . and breathlessly awaiting your next update. Okay not completely breathlessly, but you get what I mean. I'm just so thirlled with this story and enthralled at how things are unfolding. Thank gods Buffy is finally beginning to see the light about Spike and Takeshi's moments with Kaede are so heartbreaking. . .

Author's Response: Just don't pass out from oxygen loss before I post again (which should be soon). ;-) I hope you like how the last couple chapters unfold. Thanks for reviewing!

he is juz quiet... way too quiet..... wondering whats goin on in hi head.... waiitng for mroe!

Author's Response: Oh, I'm getting there... ;-) Thanks for the review!

can't wait for more!!! i just adore this story!!

Author's Response: On the way! Thanks!

Love the quote from Edmund Burke.

Do you know, this story has me Googling all of the Japanese words you use that I want 'properly' pictured in my head. Now I see Kaede in her furisode, pale blue I think, and I know how imposing Takeshi was dressed as a yoriki.

So many images, She had felt herself slipping... had felt the insidious roots of apathy take hold in her mind.. This brought to mind an image of Spike and Buffy in the alley behind the Bronze, Spike on his knees as he finishes recalling Nikki's death.

Had it only been one day? It felt like a lifetime... The memories were crisp and clear, but still separate from Buffy’s own experiences. Taking this out of context, I know, but it says what reading this story is like for me. It's like being a part of the lifetime of Kaede and Takeshi rather than being an outsider looking in.

As ever, love the change in tempo and mood when you bring us back to present-day Sunnydale. Willow and Buffy's quippage is smoothe and young geeky Willow was my favourite Willow ever. Worried about Spike's apparent introversion though. Never a good sign when an extrernaliser suddenly starts internalising. Hope it doesn't end up in a brood... *winks*

I love this story, Weyr, and I love the way you write... *first fanfic writer that ever lured me into a fic with more than B/S as central characters, in over five years*

One teensy weeny typo, ,i>all you need to do it find the nearest computer ... s/b 'is'

Author's Response: You would presume to accuse Spike of brooding?! The blasphemy! :-D I'm flattered that this story can send you into research mode, and I'm really flattered that I can lure you into reading something out of your norm. Thanks!

That the swords were a gift from Kaede's family is a lovely detail. It's interesting to me that Buffy's voice is so present in this story, when it wasn't in "In League with Serpents." Your Willow and Giles are, as always, excellent. What a great story.

Author's Response: I really tried to change gears with this story after Serpents, and adding Buffy in was a big part of that. (Writing her still scares me.) I'm glad you're liking my characterizations. Thanks for the review!

I know you've said that you're not as comfortable writing from Buffy's perspective as from Spike's; but this chapter makes it obvious that you don't need to worry. Your Buffy voice is great, and very in character given the circumstances you've outlined. You've got Buffy nailed!

Loved the Japanese part of the story; very interesting character development. The explanation for the swords was perfect. ::sniff::

I'm only sorry that we have just three more chapters to look forward to reading!




Author's Response: Yup, things are winding down. I'm glad you're liking my take on Buffy. (Because writing her still scares me!) I knew that the Kaede/Takeshi storyline was going to be sad when I started, but I kind of surprised myself with it. Thanks for reviewing!

Early Willow was a delightful girl, before the pity party started to creep in.

I'm guessing Spike has been doing a lot of thinking, going over Takeshi's information in his head. It's the only thing that really gets him silent. But he's not brooding. Nope, never even close. *hee*

Awww, Buffy can't be little miss denial girl anymore....Yay!!!

On to the Initiative!

Author's Response: Season 4 was a great time for the group's dynamics. I actually knew the outline for the swords and the Japanese story long before I decided on the season or how I would tie Orochi back into the present. In the end I had to run with this one though, because it just seemed to fit in the best. (And brooding? Perish the thought!) Thanks for the review!