This is an excellent story. It had me from the very first paragraphs, when Kenshin was escorting the informant and decided to follow him, just because he is thorough like that.
Then, you had Okita enter the slums too. I like Okita very much, even though he is in the manga but little, and I always get the impression that he could have been a friend to Kenshin, both being honourable fighters, so I am attracted to stories that explore possible encounters between them.
Finally, I must add, I love how you approach Kenshin's mental process and his decission to help Okita.
Thank you for writing and sharing this

Like this story a lot

This is one of my favourite stories featuring Okita and Kenshin of all time. A sombre tone, spot-on characterization and deep insights into the principles which they live by. The contrast and similarity between Okita and Kenshin is a beautiful thing.
(But really. Imagine the look on Saitoh's face if Kenshin marched there with Okita. PICTURE IT. It pushes the bounds of credibility too much to actually happen in this story, but a part of me wants it to happen so bad XD)

I really liked this story and I enjoyed reading the interactions between Kenshin and Okita, two of my favorite characters. The plan for lure out noble and wealthy patrons so they would be robbed was really clever. I never would have come up with that. The giant fight scene was especially good. Okita's suspicion and gratitude towards Kenshin was well written. My favorite part about Okita was his determination to duel with Kenshin despite his illness, which I admire.

The idea of Kenshin saving Okita, the enemy, is very profound. In saving Okita because he is a human being, Kenshin though Battosai, is human himself and hasn't lost his heart. Hiko's words acting as a backdrop for the story was a nice touch and helps explain why Kenshin chooses to save Okita's life. Kenshin's longing for the approval of Hiko (though he thinks he'll never get it now) also shows that Kenshin isn't the icy cold mask he hides behind, but that he cares about others and he cares about what other people think of him. Thank you for writing this!

Great story! Your characterizations of Kenshin and Okita were superb.
P.S. You should mark this story as completed. Many fans don't read older uncompleted stories for fear they will never find out how they were supposed to end.

This was great! I like the idea of the two opposing forces coming together to fight together against a group that they both consider 'evil'.

I absolutely love the idea that thinking innocent thoughts will cause a warrior to not feel any sense of danger. I think this is quite true to real life in a way, because even if your face does not show it, when you project positive/negative thoughts to others, some people can tell.

Ha, I wonder how that talk between Okita and Saitou went, if Okita told him the truth and said Kenshin saved him?

Lovely work as always!

I was just writing to another Kenshin fan that among my favorite animes, Rurouni Kenshin and Hakuouki share top billing , in part because they seem so closely related that I kept expecting Battousai to show up in Hakuouki.

What can I say, you made my dream come true, and in such a fashion that none of the beloved characters from either show broke character or killed each other. Kudos and cookies :). And not only that, it was well written, and you weave a mean fight scene. Wish I could take lessons there *GRIN*.

Just had to say thank you :).

I love this fic because it gives both people a certain humanity, like despite their different sides, they don't hesitate to help each other. I like it when those unlikely collaboration-friendships form. And your writing style is great too, always a pleasure to read!

That. Was. Beautiful. I'm wasn't really sure something like that would've happened, but when I saw two characters that I love fighting together and getting along (kinda ) I realized it didn't matter. Seriously, I loved that. I liked your portrayals of them; their reasoning and reactions and stuff, and the weird humor and irony (and mental-image-epic-ness) that was there for the whole encounter. I mean "GASP! An Ishin Shishi and Shinsengumi NOT actively trying to kill each other?"

That was so good! I love Okita he is so cute I love Okita/Kenshin fics!

Okita is amazing, and we don't usually hear a lot about him. Thanks for writing this; I enjoyed it very much. And let me say it again: Okita is amazing.

You've got style when writing. There's no overly complex language, no metaphors flooding the text. All of the emotions come across so clearly in this story; of Kenshin's gradual change, Okita's courage, and Saito's steely belief, even when he is only briefly mentioned. Wonderful fic!

Very interesting. Kenshin would definitely be the one to do something like this.

I always like well thought out stories with Okita :)

Cool plot. I can totally see Ken doing this, especially after Tomoe's death...

amazing. and i'm sure, very IN character. the choice: men with no honor / an honorable warrior.

thank you,

ginny