Author's Note

Following are a few issues I've decided to address in regard to "Desert Rose". This is just to clear up any confusion about the story's purpose, characterizations, pairings, etc. If you've followed my story, I highly recommend you read this!

1) First, I would like to remind everyone that this is an Alternate Universe story. That is the reason some of the events that occur do not coincide with the Rurouni Kenshin timeline. For instance, I'm well aware that Kaoru and Kenshin are not very close in age in the anime/manga, but in this story they are only three years apart. I created this story because I wanted to write a desert/Arabian romance and drama, and I thought the characters from Rurouni Kenshin would work best. So, basically, you must keep in mind that I have simply taken the characters themselves and put them in an entirely different world with completely new histories.

2) I know there are a lot of readers who would like the pace of this story to pick up a great deal (especially in the romance department ^-~). And believe me, so would I! But, again, this is an Alternate Universe story. In "Desert Rose", there are no previous relationships/experiences for me to build off of. I can't just make Kenshin and Kaoru fall all over each other because it's like the beginning of the anime/manga: they've only met for the first time at the beginning of the story. I hate rushed romance, and a slow build-up is how love happens in real life anyway.

3) There have been a lot of requests/complaints about more Aoshi/Misao romance. I, too, am a big fan of that couple, but you must bear in mind that this is mostly a Kenshin/Kaoru story. This doesn't mean there won't be any focus on the other couples, just not nearly as much. Also, don't expect big fireworks when Aoshi/Misao do meet; she's been living a life of revenge and pain for years and the sudden "resurrection" of her love will not be easy to adapt to…

4) On that same note, I've had a lot of questions in regards to pairings, especially centered around Sozou/Tomoe. Remember, all I've done with this story is take the Rurouni Kenshin characters and changed everything around them. Yes, I've woven in certain aspects of the series for the benefit of the story (Megumi's drug life, Tomoe's death, etc.), but that certainly doesn't mean everything will be the same. For instance, I realize how unlikely a Sozou/Tomoe pairing is, but think of it this way: she couldn't be married to Kenshin, so who's the next best choice? Both Tomoe and Sozou are quite, intellectual individuals, and in my mind their marriage is not such a far stretch. Besides, everything is going to be a little wacky as this is an insanely AU story!

5) Last thing, I promise. In regards to my slow updating time, please bear in mind that I do not have hours of free time where I can just plop down and write. Believe, I wish for nothing more! However, I have many, many obligations at school and with my family, and I'm also in charge of a very large retreat for my diocese. These things, to me, take priority over fanfiction. I love reading/writing it, I truly do, but I also know there's more to life than that. Each chapter takes around 3 or 4 hours for me to write, as I'm a perfectionist and I must edit/re-edit while I write. But have faith! I will finish this story! I love this little baby of mind too much to abandon it.

Well, to those of you who've actually read this, I appreciate your time and patience. Every review has given me more and more reason to continue this story, and I truly appreciate and thank all of you! I love you all, minna-san! 3

^_________________~

-calliope

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"Evil will always triumph because Good is dumb."

-Dark Helmet