I really enjoyed this fic since I'm a huge fan of FMP, fighting and roughness all in all. Since we really don't know much of Sousuke's time before Mithril this was a really interesting way of picturing it. For me, even though I already knew it, it gave me a clearer view of why Sousuke has such a hard time in normal society of Japan.

Thanks for writing such a great fanfic!

Damn, they need to make your fanfic into a FMP season 4, exploring the pasts of the primary characters.

It was interesting to see how direct Sousuke was with a female, the concept of kindness and civility very alien and useless to him. I was wondering if there would be a chapter that would give a momentary glimpse of Sousuke's life BEFORE his mother died, seeing the dramatic shift of losing one life and falling into another. I thought of that after reading the first part, where Sousuke mentions he kept a teddy bear with him, it kind of made me think of if he always kept that toy with him his entire life, hiding it like he did his fishing possessions. Serving as the only reminder of the life that fate stole from him. If kaname could've read his mind and see all of what you wrote, i would be very curious to wonder how horrified she wpuld react.

Anyways, very good and i hope your sequel gets posted!:)

Whodarep08

A great story, well written, very gritty. One in a thousand.

I only wish the resolution in the 4th chapter with the girl had not happened so suddenly and inexplicably. For instance, why was Dimah so disturbed by what was being unloaded from the truck (an AS I assume)? Was the doctor more nervous than usual because he knew she was dead and thought Sousuke might go on a killing spree?

Anyway, an excellent read.

A damn fine piece of work you've got going here, Meth. I'm really looking forward to reading more!

-BontaKun117

Characterization surely is your forte.

Your young Sousuke is really amazing in every aspect, from his cold calculating mind to his skills, from his wariness of other people to his pride, not to mention how he manages to keep a kind heart hidden under that cold and hardened demeanor of his.

What I liked the most was the part where he acknowledged his wildness, the need to kill to stay alive, as the key to finally free all his hidden potential. Acting on his animal instincts somehow makes his fighting pure and terrifyingly beautiful, just like lightnings or the other forces of nature are -I think I can understand what Gauron felt the first time he met Kashim.

Really well done.

If there's one thing that bothers me, its when people write fight scenes that clearly wouldn't work in real life or cloud up the physical descriptions with the fighter's emotional state. Impressionist fighting may work in some cases, but frankly is boring for people who study combat. So, just want to thank you for writing such clear descriptions. I especially liked when Sousuke was evaluating the reinforcements for a potential order of attack. I myself like to do such mental exercises for fun (though most people wouldn't think them fun!).

Keep up the good work!

That's the spirit Sousuke...sort of. Anyway, I've never really considered the reality of what Sousuke's childhood must have been like so I am glad that you are writing this. I enjoy new perspectives!

Lot more interesting to me then ATF lol, cool to see you're doing your view on Sousuke's experiences in Nozh. Now update it before I get sick of it! P

I like it! I am curious as to how far you intend to rewrite Sousuke's story in regards to the FMP timeline. Will Kaname enter the story? Will Mithril? Kaname is so integral to Sousuke's life that it is hard to imagine how he would develop as a character without her eventual influence.

I look forward to seeing what you are going to do with this!

Its grim ,but,well written .A similar sort of set up to the spartans I a lot about wouldnt pick up those skills with the to see how this will work out.

"That's too much for a five/six year old!" That's what I would say were you talking about some other child.

But this little kid is so deeply in tune with the older Sousuke we know, so strong in his will to survive, so proud in the only thing that he's got left -his surviving skills- that it is only natural to read your story and think "So, that's what happened to Sousuke during his infancy.". I swear, I wouldn't be surprised if this fic was one of Gatou's short stories.

You described wonderfully the harsh life of a child who was once loved and pampered, his blending perfectly with the forest, the way he doesn't even bother to wonder if what he's doing is right or wrong, because surviving is the only right thing he could do, his own reason to keep on fighting and surviving -acknowledge her mother's last will.

Very well done.

very different from the last story. this one feels so dark. very well written though. It seems your style is getting even better.