First Anime That Brought Me to Tears — 31 Day Anime Challenge (Day 3)

Answering this prompt requires me to think a few years back in time, so it might take some doing. I'm fairly confident I can narrow it down to one of a few titles, but knowing for certain is challenging. I probably cried over Fruits Basket (2001) for sure. I can say without reservation that the …

“I’m not good when a woman cries.” — an excerpt of “1863, December”

1864, October (pt 3) Sanosuke has never seen her cry. Chizuru’s spirit is indomitable, something as hard and unwavering as it is gentle. When he stumbles across her sitting under the early evening stars, he has to take a breath. He blinks twice--isn’t sure what to think--because yes, that is Chizuru, but how? Why? he thinks. Her …

“What… what did he do? Is Chizuru alright?”— an excerpt of “1863, December”

1864, October (pt 1) Incidents at the Ikedaya and Kinmon Rebellion left the Shinsengumi on high alert. Interference from the unique group of… whoever they were… was unwelcome at best and an outright danger at worst. The larger man had seriously injured Heisuke, and Souji--laughing in pursuit of his revenge--would often speak to the bastardry …

With prayers for long life and happiness — an excerpt of “1863, December”

1864, September pt 1 “I was born today,” he says, his eyes locked on his task. On the fourth and seventh days of every ten, Sanosuke helps Chizuru in the kitchen after dinner. On nights like these, with the changing of the seasons, sunset paints their surroundings in a gentle twilight wash. Chizuru’s dainty hands …

The Best Retort is Rising to a Challenge — an excerpt of “1863, December”

(full story here) 1864, July -- The Kinmon Rebellion, Aftermath “How cruel, calling all of you that…” “Well, this is how others treat us. Don’t you worry yourself.” “But, it--” Chizuru is angry, and she doesn’t know what to do with it.  By all accounts, the Shinsengumi’s reputation shouldn’t really be her business. She is …

Blooming from the Mouth of Spring — an excerpt of “1863, December” (HaraChi fanfic)

1864, March Chizuru is often quiet, but when she laughs, it’s rain. She’s joined the captains again for dinner, as has become her custom, and Hijikata steadfastly pretends the girl doesn’t exist. That seems to suit her fine.  Chizuru isn’t a spectacle. She watches and listens as Heisuke and Shinpachi argue over thefts of food, …

Chapter 2: UNSEASONABLE ACTS OF REASON (OR, “A LONGING INVOCATION OF THE CASTAWAY”) –A HARACHI HAKUOUKI FICTION

Unseasonable Acts of Reason (or, "a longing invocation of the castaway") Shoujothoughts Chapter 2 (The entire work can be found here and the complete list of my fictions here.) Summary: Kondou quiets. Sanosuke pales. For a moment, no one speaks. “I… I think I need to get home,” Sanosuke says. He stands abruptly without meeting …

Unseasonable Acts of Reason (or, “a longing invocation of the castaway”) –a HaraChi Hakuouki Fiction

Unseasonable Acts of Reason (or, "a longing invocation of the castaway") Shoujothoughts Notes: I didn't /exactly/ know where this is going or why I wrote it specifically, but when I think of Harada, everything in me just screams... well, "family." We all know how much Harada wanted to settle down and have a whole mess …