tetsu finally busted out a sword againts the evile guy

I'm not going to get over Ayumu's death for a while. Sacrificing her body and life, enduring it all, not even taking her own life, and dying in the most terrible way in her brother's stead... God, its enough to make one vote in favor of keeping the death penalty around (in contrast to Peace Maker's message, but still).

In my mind, the tragedy of this death surpasses even Maes Hughes (he went down fighting, so there was less sense of helplessness and hopelessness, plus his memory lives on, continually reminded of in the story) from FMA... and that's saying alot.

Daaaaaaang what an angsty story (that is, in latter manga), reminding me that in stories, the most effective way to create emotional attachment to the characters is by tragedy and sympathy. Good Lord... I don't like the story that much actually, its fairly average all around, however, I am becoming more and more sucked in by a simple setup that never fails to tug at my heartstrings: In which the story is set in a tumultuous age, where chaos, suffering, and justice can only be enforced with violence and at cost of the good guys' own conscience and humanity; If the author is able to bring out the darkness and hopelessness of this setting well enough, even if she/he's not such a great romance writer, the mere mention of something other than depression and death is enough to make it strike deep into the readers' emotions; Saya's innocence is made more radiant by her perilous and unhappy fate as a girl sold to a brothel, Akesato's (dang I like this character) love for the man she was assigned to enhanced by their tragic circumstance, Ayumu taking her brother's place and dying in his stead..................................

That said, I ship the following couples:

Akesato-Susumu: Both ninjas, both people who hide their hearts and faces, both lost the love of their life in a very, very, very bad away. A pity that the manga doesn't do more to bring together these two non-historical characters (which would allow the author so much more flexbility to deal with them). They share common sorrows, struggles, and experiences... and both are survivors of grief.

Saya-Tetsu: I have a feeling that after so much misfortune and weeping and gnashing of teeth, the author won't torture readers further by giving these two an unhappy ending. They are the "hope of the future" after all.

Ayumu-Susumu: Damn, why'd she have to die? It's criminal, and I'll be darned if I don't write at least one fanfic dedicated to this noble and loving character. *sniffel*

it's Susumu disguised as Tetsu. some random joke even up to now i haven't figured out why so ^^;
Tetsu is still short but did have a little growth spurt.