And it's over. *sighs happily* This has been a lovely story, I enjoyed it a lot! The way you describe takeshi and and Kaede's story in japan made me feel as though I was there. And Buffy, Spike and the scoobies, completely in character. Wonderful.
I liked how you namned the chapter titles, the first and the last, it gives that extra full circle touch. And it's truly a circle of rebirths, the picture you painted in the very end with the slayer and her samurai; gone but not alone. Beautiful.
Amazing story. Thank you for sharing :D
~Nina

Author's Response: I'm glad you liked it. Considering the way so few characters ever actually die in the show, I was surprised that Joss never got into reincarnation. Thanks for the review!

That is a beautiful tale. I love the intertwining of stories between Takeshi and Kaede and our present day duo. I love that you left an open ending because we basically know what's going to happen. Very nicely written and it really kept me on my toes. The whole time I was expecting them to just make out or something because you had mentioned that there was only going to be 14 chapters. But I'm pleasantly surprised that you kept your normal style and didn't rush into anything. It was very sweet and beautiful and very memorable. It's amazing how you managed to sneak the Japanese feel of it without distorting the present day theme. Good action sequences, although I'm never a fan of reading action so it's quite refreshing to read. All in all, really really amazing. It was definitely worth the wait.

Author's Response: I'm glad you stuck around to read the story. (And just have them randomly make out? Pft!) I'm especially glad you liked the open ending. I keep expecting people to pelt me with rotten fruit when I leave things hanging like that. Thanks for the review!

love the update!!!!!

Author's Response: Thanks!

The cycle starts again. ... different names and different faces, but their souls would ever be the same...

Aww, how beautiful was that ending? Amazingly beautiful.

I was in two minds though, about having Takeshi and Kaede close the tale. I think, having re-read this chapter, I would have loved to have seen it end with,

“So what’re we gonna do next weekend, slayer?”

Her breathless giggles mingled with his. “What about ‘Who says there’s gonna be a next time’?”

“What about ‘Shut up and get back in the bathtub’?” he retorted.

Possibly because of my eternal thirst for MORE, it seems to suggest, 'more to come'. *hint hint*

A privelige to have been along for the ride Wyvie. Thank you so much for the great entertainment.

Author's Response: I'm glad you liked this one too. I'm probably not going to write a sequel for this one (*ducks*), but I do loves me a wide open ending. I like knowing the characters are going on even without me. (I only screamed a little at the end of NFA.) Thanks for the reviews (and the freelance proofreading)!

Great story really loved it.

Author's Response: Thank you!

Great story. An original concept with good original characters.

Author's Response: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it.

I was expecting Buffy and Spike to play out another epic battle with Orochi. But, I like that you gave that fight to Kaede and Takeshi alone. The dusting of Orochi seemed to be honoring thier memories rather than down-playing thier importance. Well done!

Oh, and I loved the little jokes about 'The Rock' and Xander's choice in girlfriends!

Author's Response: The honest thing is that I was planning on this huge climactic battle, but when I got to it, it felt wrong. I didn't want to steal Kaede and Takeshi's kill because they were the ones who had suffered and lost to defeat Orochi. I am such a sap. Thanks for the review!

Great chapter! Loved it!

Author's Response: Thank you!

Whew!! That was close!

Nice repoire building between these two. Makes me all kinds of smiley.

And Kaede blushing over the "cute boy". So cool, that they affected each other so much at first sight. Poor girl, having such a stuffy old Watcher. The guy's a total dick.

Author's Response: I could kick Ichiro, and I'm responsible for him. ;-) Thanks for the review!

Yeah! Goodbye Riley!
I'm a little surprised Orochi didn't give them more trouble, but I guess they were only doing the cleanup, as you said.
I'm a bit sad there's only one chap left, I've really enjoyed this story. You're doing great!

Author's Response: I simply couldn't steal Kaede and Takeshi's kill. I don't have it in me. Thanks for the review!

I saw the update late yesterday evening and took a quick look but I had no time to read. Doing it now. Oh, and there was as ad on this story for Samurai & Ninja swords so I took a look at a katana. My imagination was right. :) ~ Only one more chapter? I'm truly sorry to see this one go. Well the story of Kaeden and Takeshi limits it, it can't go back farther then to the start. Well Ichiro wasn't to pleased to help... but he did. One second I thought ~ but this is the good thing in reading backwards. You know :) ~ * ~ Wow.. nifty pendant :) Long overdue indeed: so Orochiâ??s body crumbled and dusted now. I hope that means he is not coming back. This was kind of easy.. wonder if something will happen. Oh... bad bullet. Spike was at the wrong time at the wrong place! At last he is a vampire so the he wasn't killed. And they managed to escape, so that's good. :) ~ As much as I'm looking forward to the next part I'm sad that it will be the last. Till then!

Author's Response: Yes, no suspense what so ever in the Kaede/Takeshi storyline huh? Oh well. ;-) I'll be posting again soon. Thanks for the review!

Ooh, action chapter! Nice fight scene; very descriptive. *Of course* Buffy wouldn't know about Professor Walsh--I guess I'd forgotten that! Naturally she wouldn't when she didn't know about Riley. Yeah, I'm a little slow!

Really like Buffy's attitude to Riley; I think it hits all the right notes. Regret for the relationship that never quite got a chance, and a willingness to protect her teammate anyway. Her unsureness about leaving him in the airvent was just right.

Only one chapter to go-- going to miss this story!

Author's Response: Whew. I'm glad you liked Buffy's reactions. This all related back to my not being able to really get her, so I'm glad I'm not totally bungling the last few chapters. Thanks!