A/N:

Hey there, everyone!

I figured it might be useful to insert this little - call it an author's note, I guess – at this point. I've been wanting to do this for some time, but somehow I always forgot up to now xD So, what I'm going to do – I'm gonna give you general information on the W&I-project, answer a few questions and stuff like that… just as a small input in between. (Gosh, I'm so MEAN, having left you with a cliffhanger and all… but don't fret, I'll have the next chapter up soon, I promise.)

So – let's get started.

Water and Ice is a project that will, in the end, consist of two (probably even three) parts that connect to one large storyline. Part 1, "Memories", is followed by Part 2, "Truth" – and I'll have to see what I do about Part 3 – I have to wait for more chapters of the manga to be released so I can plan the ending of my story right xD

Memories will have 3 or 4 more chapters by the looks of things (I know I said it was going to be fewer, but that's just how it turned out ^^), and Truth will have about the same amount of chapters. I've got the entire storyline of Memories and half of the storyline of Truth completely planned out – at the moment my problem is finding the time to write it all down (without it sounding like crap).

…which brings me to my next point, I guess: My updates. I know they've been nothing with any semblance to regular, and I want to apologize for that – it's just that… well, whatever I say, you're gonna say you've heard it before, right? I'm SUPER busy. I'm still at school, and in my second to last year – which, in the school system of THIS country, means that every single damn mark I get will count into my A-levels. I can't afford to slack here, which is why I'm spending quite a lot of time on studying (more than I used to, definitely). The result of this is I'm virtually eating, sleeping and studying – and that's IT. That's life as an 11th grader for you. I feel like a studying machine – press this button and I'll spit a textbook at you.

Seriously though. I'm writing in every free minute that I have – the thing is, I only tend to have short periods of free time. This results in my chapters (or rather, ANYTHING I write) being totally inconsistent in style and use of grammar/vocabulary – one moment, I'm rather angry/stressed/rushed and just quickly jot something down, the next I have a little breather and write with more detail and care – which in turn leads to my chapters being rather horrible to read. Most of the time I'm afraid I'd disappoint someone if I put something like that online – if not you readers, then myself, because I know I can do better. That's, I think, the biggest reason why I haven't been updating so frequently.

Still, I managed to go with something like.. one update per month (?) for the last few months… and I'm sorry to say that I couldn't even keep that up properly. I can't tell you how horrible I feel for making you guys wait all the time – and on top of that, I always look forward to hearing your opinions on what I've written. I finish a chapter and put it up thinking "What will they have to say about this…?" Which is why I'm always overjoyed when someone reviews/favorites/alerts my story. And which is also why I will do my best and update as fast as I possibly can.

Alright – I usually answer all my reviews personally (except for guest reviews . I'd love to answer them, but I can't, after all) – but some of your reviews had questions/opinions I'd like the other reviewers/readers to see as well, and that I'd like to answer here in "public".

So here we go:

It would be cool if she becomes a captain - *insert smug grin*

im just curious why she has so much power, but i suppose you shall reveal all in later chapters (hint hint)? – Yes, all shall definitely be revealed in further chapters ^^

I can never decide whether I like Gin or not. I usually don't, but then he is kind of sweet in his own way, you know? – Please don't get the wrong idea; I LOVE Gin! I'm sure he had his reasons… for… murdering my OC… No, seriously – Gin is one of the most awesome characters EVER to come out of Kubo's brain. Rest assured that he, too, will have further appearances in this fiction :D

Though I am slightly confused as to why Hisagi is also tagged for this fanfic since no mention of him as been made at all... – Heheh… yeah… uhm… That is still to come. For any of you who have wondered about this… he WILL have a bigger role in this fiction. Though I suppose I could also have tagged Rangiku instead. (That could have mislead people into thinking this was a HitsugayaXRangiku fiction, which it is NOT, so I preferred to do it that way. xD)

Special thanks to Shaybo27 for your awesome character analysis of Toshiro xD (if you're interested, go read the review :D)

Okay, I guess I've already arrived at the "special thanks" section, huh? Well, then:

Firstly: Thanks to the two guest reviews I've received so far: one from "addy" and one from " " – I'm grateful for your support!

Furthermore, thanks to metsfan101, toshirolovr94, chaelaellis, Pelawen Night, Nightwing101, animefreakiscool, Ziya Hitsugaya, Rose with 2 sides, Aleiafae, Not-Really-Gandalf, Imaginary Owls, Shaybo27, Tokine8696 and Eviline for each leaving a review. Some of them were quite a long time ago – and I'm curious to know whether you guys are still reading, and just didn't speak up anymore…? xD Please let me know :D *not at all ashamed at the bold method of fishing for comments* xD Seriously though, especially those of you who commented on earlier chapters, I'd love to know what you think of the story now!

Moving on, thanks to SailorNightwatcher, TheCrazyMe, Nyghtmaera and The Suburban Coyote for each leaving two reviews, to MidnightRain101 for leaving three, and to aujourd'hui for leaving four! You guys are awesome – I look forward to hearing more from you *nudge nudge* xDD Geez, I really have no decency, do I…? ^^ No shame at all.

Special thanks to AppleSlice for the 8 reviews you left me – I was honored to see how much you enjoyed my story, and I looked forward to every new comment from you :D I haven't heard from you in a long time, but I hope you're still reading :D

And, last but not least – a HUGE thanks goes out to KuroTenshiShiroTenshi – for not only leaving 17 (!) reviews and sticking with my story from the start, but also for being my beta from chapter - uh… 16 or so, I believe it was – onwards, and making sure there are no errors in my story's logic. You've helped me a lot! :D And you know you're awesome.

And now, since I'm almost done with all I had to say – a few small notes at the end:

The actual OCCASION for me to post this A/N is the fact that W&I HAS REACHED OVER 10000 VIEWS! Holy sh*t I can't believe it! YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME! *hyperventilates*

What's more, this story has 60 favorites and 53 alerts (and 60 reviews)! And all that while it only contains 18 chapters, a prologue and an "Edit"-notice… (once again I apologize for that - I had a hard time when my laptop crashed, but again it was you guys that kept me from spiralling into despair... D:) ...seriously, people, YOU ROCK! Every single one of you has motivated me greatly, and I'd be honored at your continued support through further chapters.

I guess that was it from me, enough rambling for today – you know the drill, if there's any questions/suggestions/critique/ANYTHING – pm me or review, I'm open to anything, and I most definitely won't hate you for your opinion. And of course feel free to fave and alert :D

Seriously though – you guys are the best :D look forward to a further chapter sometime over the course of the next 2 weeks, I guess… :3 Until then,

ZoeTsunami