PoT: Standalone: Challenge - Chapter Ten

[branchandroot]

Fic post from my archive.

Challenge: Chapter Ten

The team brings the results to their captain. Drama, I-3

"Is it over, do you think?" Yagyuu asked, at last, barely whispering in the silence. He didn't protest when Masaharu twined a hand into his hair, drawing his head down to Masaharu's shoulder.

Comments

[soloproject.livejournal.com]

*sobs*

I hate you. You made me cry in public! *glares at people in net cafe*

It's...*scrolls up and down* over? Awww...man, no! but it was lovely of course and I will pimp your fic until the day I die.

"Enough, Akaya," he said, more gently. "You drove yourself well past your limits, all the way to collapse. There was no more you could have done. And if this had never come to you," he paused, seeming to search for words, "your game would never have become real. Honorable losses are simply an invitation to win next time."

The most beautiful line in the whole entire story. It sums up everything, just zips it up into place. And Sanada! *shockers* I'm feeling very affectionate with him right now but it is in his characterization and I could not ask for more. Akaya is freaky adorable this time and Yukimura! Oh how they love him and we do too.

Niou and Yagyuu have been great, just *squish* and wonderful witnesses to the whole thing. I wonder though, you refer to Niou as Masaharu but Yagyuu is never Hiroshi? Or am I missing something?

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this little gem! ♥ ♥ ♥ I'm going to print every bit of it and just read the whole thing over and over and over.

[branchandroot]

Awww *snuggles* didn't mean to. *bats eyelashes*

Names, yeah. Thing is, I usually write in intimate third person, so what gets narrated is my pov character's thoughts. Most people think of themselves by their given names (ergo, Masaharu), but it didn't quite seem that Niou would think of his partner as Hiroshi yet.

But you're welcome, you're welcome, you're welcome! *heartsback* There will be more in the same arc, following quite shortly.

[soloproject.livejournal.com]

Teeny voice, while twiddling fingers: Or YanaKiri, lol! XD

[lady-readwolf.livejournal.com]

or anyone, really---just, um, *please* write more Rikkai 'cause this was.... {words fail to describe}

{sighs happily-sad-like} Don't wanna believe it's over. But I guess we just have to wait for more, ne?


Hey, in the anime did they *show* Rikkai dai confronting Yukimura with the news of their loss? I know the manga's not there yet, but... Well, I haven't seen much Rikkai in recent episodes except for Sanada and Kirihara (and isn't it weird that the others didn't make an appearance? Why is Seigaku's team the only complete team? And Hyotei's *almost* complete---though I *still* don't understand why Gakuto's not there), so, I guess there's still a *lot* of open air surrounding Rikkai right now... {pouts}

Still... you did a remarkable job at keeping this story in Masaharu's point of view, and I'm looking forward to the point when Yagyuu becomes Hiroshi, and, hey! {only-semi-teasingly} maybe even that foursome between the doubles players, ne?

[branchandroot]

More coming!

*wails* No, they didn't show anything in the anime! I was so distressed. I'm hoping they'll weave it back in, as Konomi makes up his mind how he wants to play it. *pouts too*

So, let's see! *looks at bunnies* UST and smut, today, I think. That balances nicely, doesn't it? *sweet smile*

[lady-readwolf.livejournal.com]

{stretches lazily} hmmm... some down right smut *does* sound good.... I guess I should get back to editing "OZ" {pouts} I've been enjoying my break off from having to write my own darn fics.

{smacks lips} Okay! Already having your pairings picked out? Already have the fic written, perchance? ^_______^

[muscatlove.livejournal.com]

*happy sighs* So, so lovely. I have been seriously lazy and didn't comment on parts 4-10 (XD;;;) but I really loved each one. Particularly the sex scenes, and not just because it was sex, but because you had a very refreshing way of writing them that really came together at those moments in particular. However, the entire fic was really just a pleasure to read, and especially nice that all the parts came out so fast. ^^ I am in awe of your talent, and I really look forward to seeing what you write next. (And I second the other requests for more Rikkai.. as a team they haven't had the attention they deserve in fandom yet, for all it feels like everyone is talking about them lately, and you definitely do them justice). ^^

[branchandroot]

*bounces happily* Glad you liked it all! I do, usually, try to write sex that has some point; good to know it worked.

*salutes* More Rikkai is in the pipe!

[love]

Oh, wow. I just sped through the entire 10 parts, and I have to say . . . *sigh* You are amazing, and I LOVE your psychological analysis. I've added you to the list of people on my "when I grow up I wanna be just like . . . " list. (Considering I'm legally "grown-up" that's kinda tough, but the point is, you're amazing, you're wonderful, and I will permanently walk around referring to you as "Ravenwood-sensei" because you are a wonderfulwonderfulWONDERFUL author.

*melts into a fangirly puddle of goo*

[branchandroot]

*blushes* Aww *shuffles* thank you!

[naanima.livejournal.com]

HAPPINESS!

Wonderful ending to a wonderful story. I have gushed as much as I can, so now I await for your sequels. Whether they be the Power3, SanaKiri, or more Yagyuu/Niou. I await your masterpiece. And in the main time I re-read this.

And yes, I do agree with you on the Power3 relationship. There does seem to be a lack sexual charge between the 3 (not saying it won't or haven't happened), it's just seems their dynamics are a bit more complex. And seriosuly, Sana/Kiri have chemistry ^_^

*huggles*

[branchandroot]

*snuggles*

Chemistry is a lovely thing. *pets the manga*

[provetheworst.livejournal.com]

I have to say, I remember some of your FMA fic, and I didn't like it at all. Sorry. So I was a little apprehensive to read all of this, but it was rec'ed, and I was in the mood for some D1... and I got Rikkai! *squee* Rikkai, Rikkai, Rikkai! And they're actually Rikkai, you have them, yes~!

I love your interactions between everyone, the Troika and Kirihara, D1, D2, all of them, yes. The team's reaction to Yukimura's illness was right, and... I like your Kirihara. The fact that I love Kiri anyway probably helped, but bwahaha. I wanna squish him.

And your D1! There's tension, but at the same time they work and I like that.



..go, rikkai, go! ♥

[branchandroot]

*waves a hand* As Niou put it, to each her own.

Glad you liked it!

*puzzled* For some reason YanaKiri just hasn't pinged for me. I like reading it when other people write it, but none of my bunnies seem to be of that breed. And it's not like there isn't plenty of material to work with... *shrugs*

[provetheworst.livejournal.com]

Liked it lots, yes. ♥ I'd add it to my memories, only adding ten parts of one fic seems a little silly... hrm.

No YanaKiri bunnies? TwT Woe! <-- shallow, yo. The pairing can be so terribly fun.. hm. Ah well! Inspiration hits where it hits, after all, right? And it would be stupid to force anything. ... but if you ever do write any YanaKiri... ;D

[soloproject.livejournal.com]

YanaKiri doesn't ping for you?! @___@ Well, it doesn't matter, I'll take any Rikkai from you. ^___^v

[chzbrgr-of-doom.livejournal.com]

That was amazing! I was a little reluctant to read a ten part fic, but then I realized I had nothing better to do anyway, and I'm so glad I read this! !!! !

[branchandroot]

Thank you! The next parts of this arc will definitely be shorter. ^_^;

[mica-chan.livejournal.com]

I'm running out of time, so I'll be short.
I loved all ten parts. It was the first Yagyuu/Niou fic I really, really liked, because you not fell in the mistake almost all fanfic authors fell: do them change so much that they can't be recognized anymore. (sorry, but I really think it's impossible to people who really know them not be able to say who is who...in a game I can understand an adversary don't being able, but not friends, family and things like that...that's why I like the fact that they only changed twice in this fic).

But what really matters is that I liked your fic, I liked the way you portraited Rikkai Dai, I loved Sanada...and Yukimura...and Yanagi too, and...well, I'll read the next fic ^_^

Just a question (because I read the manga too long ago): who has the light hair and the dark hair? (about Yagyuu and Niou, of course).

[branchandroot]

*complimented* You have to figure, if no one else noticed, Yanagi would almost have to. I mean, it's practically his job description.

^_^V

*thinks* Yagyuu has dark hair and Niou has light. And they get their regular hair colors back with little more than the swipe of a towel, after the match, hence my speculation about high-ticket make-up chemicals.

[mica-chan.livejournal.com]

I'm running out of time, so I'll be short.
I loved all ten parts. It was the first Yagyuu/Niou fic I really, really liked, because you not fell in the mistake almost all fanfic authors fell: do them change so much that they can't be recognized anymore. (sorry, but I really think it's impossible to people who really know them not be able to say who is who...in a game I can understand an adversary don't being able, but not friends, family and things like that...that's why I like the fact that they only changed twice in this fic).

But what really matters is that I liked your fic, I liked the way you portraited Rikkai Dai, I loved Sanada...and Yukimura...and Yanagi too, and...well, I'll read the next fic ^_^

Just a question (because I read the manga too long ago): who has the light hair and the dark hair? (about Yagyuu and Niou, of course).

PS: If I put this comment twice, I'm sorry...my internet is totally crazy today.

[featherypony.livejournal.com]

Okay, it's taken me a long time to read this because work and sleep interfere with my time online. So I hope you get this. ^^ But...I love it. Most D1 fics I've read I've really liked...D1 seems to bring out the best writers...but I really, really love this fic. I didn't want it to end. Um...there's a lot more I wanted to say, about characterization and whatnot and such and such, but I don't think I can find the words to express it (especially on so little sleep). I'm bad at that. However, I will say that I loved your portrayal of everyone on the team. *nods* And I am going to go read the other parts of the arc now. *nods*

That said, would you um...mind if I added this journal as a friend? >>

[branchandroot]

*sparkles* Thank you! I'm glad to hear you liked it. *commiserates* Wouldn't life be easier if we didn't have to sleep?

And, please, feel free to friend. Welcome!

[beckymarie.livejournal.com]

*lets out a deep breath* You know, okay, I haven't read THAT much Rikkai fic, but I've read a fair amount, and there's a lot of GOOD stuff out there, but I've never seen anything quite like what you did with this story--that you gave them all three-dimensional personalities and backgrounds and motivations and reactions and it all made sense. I am in absolute love with how you handled the switch, that Yagyuu wanted it, too, and why he wanted it. His issues with authority really was beautifully done--if you'd told me about it beforehand, I probably would have been on the fence and gone, "Ehhh, I'll see, I suppose." but actually reading it... reading about the way Kirihara came into their midst, the way Yagyuu and Niou's relationship developed, their reactions to the Golden Pair match (I loved the way you handled that, too--instead of just reiterating what happened, you went deeper and explained how Niou--and the others as well--reacted to those matches, so it was fun to 'rewatch' the matches because I felt like I understood the whole thing on a deeper level.), so many other things. You really wrote a defining Rikkai fic for me, a fic that explained them, put all the pieces we had on them together into a coherent whole. I would ♥ you just for that.

But THEN you gave us gorgeous, gorgeous Yagyuu/Niou interaction--the way Niou is constantly aware of where Yagyuu is, the way they work together on the court... that all felt so right, like you knew exactly what you were talking about, that you knew exactly how their tennis worked, that you understood everything and explained that to the audience beautifully. I really came away from the story awed at how much insight was packed into the story--the way you explained Yukimura's important to the team and how he affected each member, the way you wrote Kirihara's entrance and the developing fondness they all had for him, and the way Yukimura treated him to gather Kirihara's respect... holy crap, that was fabulous and made so much bloody sense that Kirihara is like he is and acted the way he acted in the series itself.

And then there were all those little details packed into the story, too--that Yagyuu noticed Niou was starting to concentrate his tricks on people that bugged either himself or Yagyuu, the way their doubles style evolved, the way Niou was aware of Yagyuu's style and insight, the way there was this whole team dynamic, and eight million other details that I could never remember in one sitting. I loved that the whole thing was so... it's hard to find the right word, it's not quite dense, but 'meaty', perhaps, in that each chapter gave me something to sink my teeth into, not only furthering them along on the timeline of events, but also unfolding that much more insight into how they worked. I really can't get over that. XD;;

Plus, OMG, I loved the way the sex finally happened. It wasn't meaningless, it was very much filled with feelings, but it wasn't sappy or saccharine--I loved, loved, LOVED that they clearly cared so much about each other, but never really had to say it, never had to tell each other they loved each other, but you weren't avoiding it, either. (With some fics, it really feels like the author wants to have them confess their undying love, but doesn't do it because it's too far over the schmoopy line, you know?) They just... are what they are and that's enough for them.

*spazzes* I can't tell you how much I utterly adored this and the explaining you did of Rikkai's D1 and the other characters *and* wrote a lovely story. .....err, didn't mean to babble that much, eheh. XD;;;

[branchandroot]

*overwhelmed* Wow! Thank you! *hearts in eyes*

And thank you for enabling it, because, you know, for the longest time I was kind of 'eh, Rikkai, whatever', but then I Saw The Light! *winks*

[caprix.livejournal.com]

I'm writing this at 4am on a sunday morning because I've just finished marathoning this fic. I hope I don't sound too incoherent. First, I'd like to offer my sincerest thanks for gifting us with such a well-written fanfic. *sparkle*

Seriously, this is one of those fanfics where the characters just come to life. You've taken 2D characters that we have next to no background on and given them distinct personalities, fears, and motivations. ♥_♥

It's funny, because I came to this fic thinking it would be another "D1 does the switcheroo" premise. Boy, was I ever surprised! This is the first piece of tenipuri fanfiction I've read where an entire team gets fleshed out in a believable (and canon-complying) fashion. I mean, not even Seigaku gets such good treatment! ^_^

I love how your Yukimura is so strong; how your Sanada and Yanagi are so close to their captain; how your Niou is so perceptive; how your Yagyuu has a devilish side; and how your Akaya is the baby of the team. I also love how they're so recognizably Rikkai dai. That, I think, is the most amazing aspect of your fic. The fact that you've written such real characters out of practically nothing, while they remain true to their 2D portrayal.

*____* Okay, I'll stop sparkling at you now. Thanks for such a great read!

[branchandroot]

*vast blushing* You're very welcome, and thank you very much! I'm glad you liked it, and it means a lot to me to know that, after all the extrapolation, the characters still ring true to their source.

*eyes muses* It was actually supposed to just be a D1 story, but the rest of the team waltzed in and demanded their own time. I was helpless to resist. The Rikkai boys really have eaten my soul.

*muses high-five each other and smirk*

[rainedrops.livejournal.com]

This story is so beautifully written... down to the very details. If my brain worked better I would give you a more insightful comment but it's just so filled with Rikkai (especially Nioh/Yagyuu) fandom right now it's turned a little mushy >_<

Love this story, every part of it =) Now onto reading the other extensions you've made for this arc =D

[branchandroot]

*sparkles* Thank you! It's great to know when someone enjoys the story.

I LOVE THIS FIC!!!!

[red-planet31.livejournal.com]

This is the BEST Rikkai fic I've ever read. It ROCKS!!! I love how you write Yagyuu and Niou. LOVE IT!!! It's just... WOW!!!

Re: I LOVE THIS FIC!!!!

[branchandroot]

*beams* Thank you!

[solaas.livejournal.com]

Just found this fic via other people's LJ Memories and whatnot.

It's fantastic. Fan-tas-tic. I'm fairly new to the PoT fandom, and have spent the last couple of months being delighted that the fandom is so large that I manage to find many competent writers and good stories. This one stands out, though. I think it's, if not the best I've read, certainly in the top three.

Living, breathing characterisation, excellent flow, good mix of drama, humour and angst, good sense of time passing, and the way you slipped the sex scene in so naturally... It's very, very rare to see such a thing done in a fanfic.

Also, the wrist band comment? Effing brilliant!

Thank you for writing this! :D

And for keeping your posts unlocked, so's I could read them. ^^

[branchandroot]

*beams* Thank you! It's always good to hear when someone liked these stories.

And I have to admit, this one is my personal favorite of all my PoT stories to date. Not even the rest of the Challenge arc was quite such a... pure experience to write. So there's an extra glow when people like this one. ^_^

[dreamcatcher.livejournal.com]

I thoroughly enjoyed the way this story involved the whole team and took us through so many of their different struggles. But, yes, my heart still lies with Noiu and Yagyuu and their wonderful dynamic. Beautifully written, thanks for the story.

[branchandroot]

Thank you! I do dearly love those two. *wry* Enough that I actually revised this some, after more of the manga came out, which I almost never do. It's great to hear you enjoyed it!