It seems that there has come a time where I should explain a little bit about the story and my interest as well as my direction for it. A reviewer left a note telling me what he/she thought about the story and especially the choice of pairing. Thus as the author, I feel that I should at least attempt to defend my story and my own artistic rights.

The Review:

kaoru?!you're fucking kidding me why the HELL is that BITCH getting kenshin AND enishi around her fat bloated little finger?!?!?!?! she's the WEAKEST and the WHINIEST LITTLE BITCH ever! you're one of those ppl who watched rk on cn and got the manga translations aren't you? then you thought how much YOU want to be that fat ugly COW who's like the most PERFECT little lady in your sick dieseased mind so you wrote this THING to satisfy your sick little fantasy! GUESS WHAT! KAORU IS A UGLY CRYBABY WHO TRIED TO STEAL KENSHIN FROM TOMOE! and you know what she didn't even come CLOSE but you still jerk off thinking you're kaoru fucking kenshin or enishi. WTF is WRONG with you??kenshin and enishi will KILL her together than hang out with her! oh please, everything you based your little story on is COMPLETELY false and just PROOVES you didn't read the manga. fyi, enishi HATES kenshin and that useless lump of meat and he wants to kikll them all NOT hang around a little smelly retard an dkenshin's STILL mourning tomoe and he's only with kaoru bc he feels sorry for her ugly ass SO he's killing time BEFORE he can go rejoin tomoe in heaven! and what do you DO?! you make it so it fits your crazy version where EVERYONE falls in love with that cow! YEAH RIGHT! i HATE n00bs like you PRETENDING to know it all! and if they're in modern schools WHERE is the ohter characters?i know why you didn't even SHOW misao, megumi, TOMOE - remember her, kenshin's WIFE?! - it's bc you KNOW kaoru will be EXPOSED as the piece of SHIT she is if you put the other girls next to her! did yoiu even SEE samurai x?! tomoe's supposed to be kenshin's GIRLFRIEND and kenshin and enishi should be fighting over HER nobody CARES about that ugly bitch kaoru!stop lying to yourself and STOP WRITING. you're fic sucks kaoru sucks and your a RETARD for writing things like THIS. great job on your fic oh yah, just steal SCRAPS of CRAPPY songs and put fake itallian! that makes everything sound SO much better doesn't it? FUCK YOU AND YOUR MOM

To Kitsune,

The Pairing

Like I have mentioned earlier, I enjoy a good KK or EK. However, I do understand that KK can sometimes be a touchy subject, especially for all the Tomoe fans out there. But, I believe, that a good story is when you can identify with the characters and this is why I have chosen to write a KK. I have a soft spot for Kaoru. Having faced what she has, losing her mother, her father, being perpetually alone save for Dr. Gensai, I find it amazing that she managed to retain her spunk and vivacity for life. Her strength and steel never fails to heighten my respect and admiration for her and it is for this reason that I always return to writing about her. I can understand how her free-spirited and energetic ways may rub others the wrong way, but it's all perception, isn't it?

This is also why I believe that Enishi and Kenshin would be attracted to her. She represents something innate in all of us that we have allowed to be left buried for far too long. It is that which speaks out to something deep in Enishi, him having lost his family at a young age and having gone through what he has in China, and it is that which calls out to Kenshin, him having been alone for so long. Kaoru is the bright spark in the age of rebuilding and reparations. She stands for that which Kenshin has sought to protect with his tainted soul and broken heart, and she also represents that which Enishi has given up along the way of climbing through the ranks of the Chinese Mafia. Thus it seems believable that they would turn to her to regain that selfsame innate quality which they have lost.

Why I do not write a Tomoe fic is because of the lack of understanding and tie that I have with her. Despite my respect for her, I must admit that I do not feel as much affinity for her as I do for Kaoru. Kaoru seems to be a more 'approachable' character than the formidable Tomoe, I must say, so please accept my apologies for not inserting her in my fics as often as I do Kaoru. However (SPOILER ALERT) Tomoe will be making an appearance (sort of) and that is all I will say about this matter. (SPOILER ALERT)

The Song Lyrics

Well, they're mostly in there because I'm an obsessive fan of music as well. Gackt being my favourite Japanese artist, I could never leave him out of a partial song fic that I'm writing. Moreover, Hoshi no Suna was the mood in which my fic was written to. A kind of theme song for the fic, it explains perfectly through its harmony, cadence and rhythm, the entire story... in one song. Having the lyrics in my fic was an added bonus for me because I wanted to portray through a tuneless story what Enishi and Kaoru were going through in their relationship. Many things need not be spoken but can expressed through a melody or simply the touch of your hand, and it is through the lyrics that I was hoping my story would take flight. Whether or not I've succeeded in successfully expressing it, I do not regret adding the lyrics because this story is an extension of me. Like a limb to the body, La ballata della luna lives and breathes through my words and imagination. How can I betray it by writing what people want and not what I feel?

Furthermore, Enishi is a musician (or did I not explain that clearly in my story? I apologize if that was the case) so it would only be right to have lyrics in the story, isn't it?

The Italian

With reference to the Italian title (incidentally it means 'the ballad of the moon') it's really a quirk of mine. Currently studying Italian, I like the romance and the mystic of the language and the kind of emotions it lends to the story. If you do notice, the moon, stars, darkness, they all play a large part in the story in their reference to the night, an ending of sorts, something which the story is about.

Adesso is a real Italian word, and no, I'm not making that up. For the reason as above, I decided to put it up frankly because I love the way it sounds. Honestly, though it sounds like a rather shallow reason, it's the only one I can offer.

Background information

The reviewer also questioned my grasp and understanding of Rurouni Kenshin, the original story. For sure, I am no Watsuki-sama, hence my understanding would already be handicapped for that reason. Moreover, I do believe that there is a limit to which characters can be bent and fitted to the story and yet remain in character. Different circumstances, political and/or geographical climates, background, upbringing etc, makes for slightly altered characters. This being an AU fic, it is impossible that the Kaoru, Kenshin, Sano and Enishi of the fic would be the same as the one in the Anime. However, I also believe that perceptions and different angles make for a completely disparate analysis of characters. For example, some may find Enishi to be a psychopath, others may give him more leeway for his lonely and difficult childhood. It is for this reason that I hope that you can understand and forgive my transgression when it comes to the way I mold and portray my characters. They are not only a product of their past, but also a product of my own history. Hence it may seem that they are OOC to you when I find them perfectly in character.

But if I am being condemned for my seemingly shallow understanding of RK, I must first say that RK is not Samurai X. Samurai X is the name that AXN so generously bestowed upon the wonderfully crafted anime, and it is not the official nor true name of the anime. Secondly, I have, in fact, read the manga (translated into Chinese) and watched the anime, considering that I have the entire series (non-dubbed). And if I may be allowed to express my owner's pride, I do have the OVA and have watched the Seisshouhen arc as well. Thus do forgive me for being a tad affronted that I would be accused of having 'everything you based your little story on is COMPLETELY false and just PROOVES you didn't read the manga.'

Lastly, I'd just like to explain that this is less in response of your flame, as it is a response to the questions that you've brought up. I do not believe myself to be an author who is so protective over my works that I would ignore criticism and feel offended by it. However, I do hope that constructive criticism towards my work, my fanfiction would be given, instead of directing it at my ideas and my mother. Putting my works on ffnet is considered an outlet for my thoughts and I am willing to be shot at for my horrendous grammar or my terribly offending spelling, but to be attacked for my character as a person, that was something, I must say, I did not expect. How high the price of artistic rights seems to be!

On a lighter note, to all my other reviewers:

BelleDayNight: I like your imagination! Maybe I should pick on some of your ideas next time! In fact, why are you reading my story, your imagination works much better than mine! lol And I'll tell you a secret, I hate stats too. I'm glad you got an A... I did too, thinking about it, but I never quite liked it anyway. Bleh. Oh, and chica? Are you Spanish? Wait, it is a Spanish word right? I'm hoping to keep showing Kenshin's kawaii and yasashi side (that's the right word for warm/sweet right?) I'm just glad you liked it too!

Jade Catseye: Hehe, this is going to end up a KK, though like I said, I'm thinking of writing an EK ending to it as well. I'll have to see how my timetable would allow for this ambitious move! But I'll keep writing anyhow! Thank you for your wonderful praise, it's an honor to see my name on your favs list, it really is. To be able to reach out to you and touch you, it's something I've been hoping to do. Thank you for that confirmation, it makes my day to know that.

CrescentStar: I hate it how characters are thrown together just like that. Sounds pretty unnatural and 'wrong' to me. But I can understand the anxiety of the authors too. It's hard having to build up the tension and the atmosphere all the time. I just want to bring the characters right into the center of the action all the time! It's tough you know, holding myself back. Yet it has to be done. sigh. An author's gotta do what an author's gotta do! Kaoru would probably continue in her confusion, but soon enough, the truth would have to prevail!

cincygurl22: Thank you for your encouragement! I haven't quite thought about whether or not she passes the test, but I guess since you're so eager to know, I'll fit that into the next chapter... somehow. -grinz- Just for YOU! Emotions are a very important part of my life, it dictates my views and my reactions so it's also an integral part of the story. Being an author who believes in the power of showing and not telling, I'd recommend watching out what actions the characters do because that would explain a great deal more!

The evil witch: Mou.. you're scary... Haruko backs away slowly don't kill me!!!! lol I'm such a bully in class too, I can understand what you're like.. I think. Maybe you're worse than me. Good luck with that! But seriously, thanks for the encouragement. You're one of my 'faithful' reviewers who follow me throughout my entire story and I can't thank you enough for the amount of support you've given me. Thank you.

areen: lol It's rather tragic that you're only writing to ask me what the word means. But since you've actually reviewed I guess I do owe it to you to give you an answer. Tsuzuku means 'to be continued'. What an anticlimactic answer right? Although it's true. -grinz-

Outtakes!

Take #1 (Chapter 1)

Enishi: Want to listen to a song?

Kaoru: -narrating- I nodded. How else was I supposed to react to such a question anyway? Do you know how to play 'Dancing Queen' by ABBA?

Enishi: -sweatdrop-... no.

Haruko: CUT!!!

Take #2

Kenshin: Kaoru-chan.

Kaoru: Ke-kenshin?-narrating- I could not hide the disbelief that crept into my voice at his disarming grin and his relaxed posture.

Kaoru: I.. I thought you were busy with soccer, what with the competitions coming round and all.

Kenshin: Yeah, but I'd rather be busy with you. -nudgenudgewinkwink-

Kaoru: -turning red- Na-nani??

SMACK

Haruko: Stick to the script baka!!

Take #3

Enishi: You're here.

Kaoru: Ah... what are you playing?

Enishi: 'The Sound of Music', wanna sing along?

Haruko: Oroooo... cut.

Enishi: The hiiiills are aliiiive...

Haruko: Cut!

Enishi: ...With the sooooound of muuuuusiiiiiiiiiic...

Haruko: CUUUUUUUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BangCrashSmash

Take #4

Kenshin: Here.

Kaoru: Eh?

Kenshin: Here are all my notes. It's more concise and easy to read than the text considering you only have 20 more minutes to study before the test begins.

Kaoru: Thanks. -flips through it-... Ano... it's... it's... -blushes-

Haruko: -fumes- HIMURA KENSHIN!!! WHY ARE YOU SHOWING HER PLAYBOY????

Take #5

Kaoru: 'Nishi?

Enishi: Hmm?

Kaoru: What's your favourite song, among all the songs you've written?

Enishi: -seriously- 'Twinkle twinkle little star'.

Kaoru: Ara?

Enishi: -continues on- Everyone thinks that Mozart wrote it, but it's not true! I did it! I'm the genius!!

Kaoru: -inches towards Haruko- Kowaii...

Enishi: It's me! Me! Me all along!!!

Haruko: -whispers- Here's an opening, let's make a run for it.

Enishi: ...I was the one who put so much effort and time into the composition! Just cos he's dead... -snorts- If I was dead too...

Haruko: NOW! -starts running like crazy-

Enishi: -oblivious- ...and...

Take #6

Kaoru: -narrating- Kenshin... was he still the boy I loved? And am I still the same girl who loved him? Staring at the figures and numbers swimming in front of me, I suddenly felt lost and confused. What did all this mean?

Sano: -offstage- She thinks you're still a boy Ken-chan!!

Kenshin: Orororooooo... that's a low blow Kaoru-chan... -scowls-

Kaoru: But-but... Harukooooooooooo-

Haruko: Heheheh, gomen ne Kenshin... but...

Kenshin: -whines- Change it now! Now! Now!!!! Or I'm gonna quit!

Haruko:-resigned- Hai hai... -mutters- If only I could get more money I could hire Soujirou who's more accomadating. Stupid unions... Asked them whether I could get more professional actors but what do they say??? Huh? Huh????