I have been so excited about reading this! I must have just missed you posting it last night and then haven't had a chance to check the computer today until now.

I really love this, really love this a serious amount.

I love the fact that we get to see Hakkai away from the Ikkou, just as himself and not influenced by how as a reader we view the group as a whole and each person making up that group. (I dunno if I'm making sense right now either, but I will persevere). And I do like your Hakkai a lot, I stopped to think on occasion about some of the things you mention in here, like how Kanan could have turned out differently if she'd been a survivor.

I think one of my favourite bits of this is the way Lienhua systematically sets about getting Hakkai dirty ;) And the way he lets her do it - perhaps I'm wrong but I get the impression she feels if he's 'dirty' too, it's not so bad!

And I have some serious fondness for Lienhua too. I like her a lot, and it makes me really hope she shows up in Chang'an someday (with the cat, of course!)

Okay this became a novel, sorry. But wonderful stuff, such a great story, I bet Sharpeslass is grinning from ear to ear over this one! ♥