Sorry this took so long. I've been meaning to review this for a while, as it's one of the first Fatal Fury/KoF fics I read back when I rediscovered this fandom about a year ago. Amusingly, I found it when I did a Google search on Andy and Mai's fight intros.

One of the things I like is that you were able to create an emotionally-deep, character-driven story using something like Andy and Mai's fight intros for inspiration. Because sadly, I think the KoF games turned their relationship into a joke (Mai became a crazy stalker who literally chases Andy in some of her endings like he's a goddamn road-runner. Or there's that one fight intro where she starts the match in a wedding dress before changing into her fighting outfit). So this was a welcome change of pace, seeing actual depth in the characters. You already know how a line from this story inspired a small part in one of the chapters of my own writing, but I think on a subconscious level, this also helped me to realize the potential for complex Andy/Mai ship stories in this fandom, which eventually led to me trying my own hand (though my work is inspired more by the OVAs than it is the video games).

I like the whole idea of the vicious circle: Andy's fear of abandonment inadvertently caused Mai to develop her own fear of the same. Also like how we got to the resolution, and also the little allusions to things during Mai and Andy's childhood that were peppered throughout the story. This is one of the few FF/KoF fics that I've actually re-read. And when I re-read it, I actually felt more sympathy for Mai than I did the first time, because I had Google image searched those statues after my first read, and they are very sad to look at. Even if you don't have kids, and you don't know anyone who's had an abortion, they're still sad to look at.

Overall, an excellent story.

Wow... I've read your other story of Mai/Rock. I enjoyed so much, but now reading this I know see you can also get serious O_o

Well, most part of the story I was like 'what the hell!?', but I'm happy with the ending.

You are a very good writter. I don't see any grammatical errors (nor any I can remember) and the way you tod the story is very good. It keeps you reading, man.

Well, for the story itself, I kind of hate it at first. But I admit that most of the time we saw a different story of how we see this weird relationship between the 2 ninjas. Well, I have to say that the A/M from KoF are very different from the Fatal Fury saga. I mean, in kof, their relationship is now a comic relief and not too serious (the main couse involves the Kyo, K' and Ash stories) leaving aside the FF and AoF stories (I guess that's on purpose to not interfere much with ther storylines, since many of their endings are soft or funny). In FF, it's actually Andy show more concern about Mai. In FF3 he has a quote (I don't remember well) where he explains Mai that he has to protect Southtown since its his original home. Also in his RB ending, he acompanies Mai in crossed arms in a manner of boyfriend. Well, thats my POV, but that Andy, still shy, is more open to Mai. The most. Clear example is in the movies, where we watch how Andy at the end confess his love for the kunoichi.

Well, i guess I got a little carried off the review, sorry. By all, good Story, nice details about that statues. Like very much!

Well,

So sad! But I'm glad Andy finally got his act together in the end. Poor Mai, to have to suffer with that all alone.

Great story.

Impressive piece of work! Very well written, the characters are well represented and the feeling is there. Im trying to criticize you but simply I cant find anything wrong with this...

Im also finally glad that someone did a serious Andy/Mai

That was beautiful. I love how you described Mai's feelings. Great job! :)