This story was well thought out. I love how you intertwined several elements that all came crashing down in the end. These things are what make a good story, great. You handled it well and I'm thoroughly impressed. Although, I was surprised you never mentioned what happened to the portrait that Keitaro made of Motoko. I figured Keitaro would have saved it anyway even though he was told to tear it up. it would have been a good addition to the story. The characters all seem believable and their interactions were well thought out as well. The final problem to me was that we never got the ascension solved. Her mom came and told her it wouldn't be possible for another two or three years, but we dont know what happened about it. I think that was something that needed to be written in because it's not entirely consistent otherwise. I get how Motoko made her own Rose and that's great and all. But if she figured out the meaning behind the rose, shouldn't she try to fight again or at least see her mother again after finding out the truth (if that was the meaning or thing Motoko was supposed to find at the end.) These few things are what are concerning for me. Otherwise, it was a good fic. It was well worth reading. thanks for writing it.

I've never read a story that made me suck air through my teeth and say "Ooooooooooh," through my fist. Some of the comments the girls make to one other...these people aren't friendly at all!

Good job sir!

Woo Kitsune!
Love what you've done with her!

Please ignore my previous review.

I'm pretty sure Tsuruko's just fucking with Motoko there. A student needs to know that there's something more to strive towards in order to start making progress there, just like a scientist needs to find an unsolved question before they can try to answer it.

The sisterly bond thing might be true, though. There's enough folklore behind that sort of thing that I could see someone with such highly-focused chi as Tsuruko being able to feel her distress. Although that would make her behavior during that entire fiasco of her showing up in canon even more dickish on her part.

Heh. Funny, is it not? You weren't sure if you would or even *could* carry this past the first chapter and yet, to look at it, you clearly were more than capable. It's your 5th highest-rated story out of 85. I think perhaps your limited experience with Love Hina fics might have actually helped in that regard; from what I remember of my first reading, this story is quite distinct.

You know, after all these years of reading your EVA output, I never knew you wrote a LH fic. You did great. One of the most unique and best. Kudos for your Naru characterization. Very even handed.

I am impressed.
Your word-smithing is most enjoyable!
This story ha given me joy to read it, and for that, I thank you!

I loved this story a lot, for multiple reasons, reasons which I will not delve into for simplicity's sake. Thank you.

The ending reminds me a bit of a Kit/Kei fic called Friends. It to ends on a solid note without the "happily ever after" epilogue. In that case it was Kitsune telling Naru at her (Kitsune's) wedding that despite everyting that happened "We never stopped being best..." followed by the word "Friends" used in place of The End.

I read this story some years ago and came back to it by chance. It remains one of the best Love Hina fanfics out there. I hope you find time you continue writing your LH/Evangelion crossover too.

Auu!... Seems like things won't go well for Shinobu, a shame, it was just so cute seeing her trying to be sneaky in her affections :-)

Read this all in one sitting. It's beautiful.

A truly well-written story. The multiple symbolism of the silver and steel roses was definately a work of art; together or separately, these two are well represented by them.

The bit with Kitsune was a good call, however "controversial" I'd imagine some found it. Simply put, that's about how one would expect her to act, given her character and the situation, as was her eventually coming around to realize that she'd made a mistake.

I have no complaints, other than the one complaint I'll always have about any really good fic: I wish it were longer. But... I GUESS it's too much to ask that they all be at least 40-50 chapters long. *sigh* I GUESS...

I don't feel like logging in on my phone so it'll be anonymous this time.

First chapter was perfect. It had the hook that drew you into the story and no, I'm pretty sure this isn't cliche.

Then came the second and third chapters which were pretty good, except I think Motoko was very out of character in the conversations with everyone except Keitaro. Motoko is very formal and would never use conjunctions like: couldn't, I'm, etc. And she also talks a lot more when she would probably sum everything in two or three sentences.