I remember reading this as it was first published and how I was devastated with the ending for CIP and left wanting a sequel with CIM. It’s years later and after reading it again, well, the feelings haven’t changed! What’s different now is that I finally have the courage to post my thoughts (even though I still feel a tad nervous doing so) and leave some feedback that I unfortunately was not able to provide at the time.
If I recall, we were barely introduced to Sheryl when you started to write this. I adored and hated him, he is cruel as he is decisive. When I picked up DGM again not that long ago (and by pick up, I mean delving back into the fandom), I actively searched for this particular fic because of the impression you left on me from him alone. Your characterization of Sheryl was done so well given the few moments we actually saw him in canon, he feels more complete.
I want to mention the interaction the Noah’s had with Kanda during his time captured and how unusual it had felt. Not for me personally, but in the perspective if I was in Kanda’s place rather. Though Noah, they are still human and did human things like discuss a variety of topics and participated human activities, it was an environment that must have felt so normal that it was unusual for him to be an (unwilling) observer to. But, you never failed to remind us that they are still Noah and use their power when they deem fit instead of needlessly flaunting their strength and status around. It was subtle in actions but in words it was ringing.
The actions most characters took in Trial and Error all stood on their own feet actually and never felt out of place. Allen’s jump to be part of the rescue mission, Tiedoll’s overexertion to save his pupil, Lenalee’s vicious anger towards Komui and of Komui choosing the fight he knows he can win, they all felt in their place. Even Miranda’s want for Time Recovery to take away pain permanently because of her kindness and Kanda’s suicide to not hold the Order back in CIP felt believable and I think that’s what really made CIP the Sad Ending.
Leverrier remained to be the cruel man but was right in his lane, you didn’t go too far nor did you hold back, you handled him well.
Reading Trial and Error again, I feel now I am able to really appreciate the minor characters you incorporated into your fic, such as the Nigerian. He’s incredibly vague in his appearance and in his involvement with the Order but the few details you gave us made it clear that there are secrets in the Order that only few are aware of. The Nigerian’s use of hypnotism is unique and his method down right terrifying. He’s a character that I wouldn’t want to get involved with and Komui and Matron were unfortunate wittnesses to how he worked. I feel for Matron, it did feel cruel to subjugate Kanda to remember an experience that quite literally left him crippled, but I can understand why Komui did it. Kanda was in a kind of trouble that would not be looked over easily by the higher ups and it was a necessary action. Kanda landing one on Komui still has to be one of the funnier moments next to… well, I’m not too sure. Tyki’s hurt pride at being called delicate by Sheryl? Or, maybe, Komui figuring out a way to tell the already worn to the bone Science Department to stop their packing without having to face them on in person.

I binge read Trial and Error and have too much to say but don’t know enough words to properly put it together. I adored this fic in the past and after a read my adoration returned. There was little to criticize on and a lot to appreciate, you took the time to give us two endings because of how mysterious Kanda’s curse was to us. The universe for DGM was expanded and you gave us a look inside how quick the Order will turn around and bite the hand that feeds them (or, in this case, fights for them) despite the failure being on their part. Trial and Error makes me want to draw again for content creators but this time actually show it to them instead of keeping it hidden away in a folder on my desktop. I don’t expect for you to see this review because 2009 was an awfully long time ago, but if you do happen to see it, know that it left an impression on at least one person that still remembers it years later.

I just finished reading the whole history. I didn't unterstand everything and skipped some passages (english is not my language) but I liked it pretty much, enough to read until the end ! Thanks for writting so many words and chapters !

Sad to hear that this is your 'first and last visit to the D. Gray Man fandom', as I would have loved to read more of your stories. Either way, it's clear that this is a fic you put a lot of effort into, and it's certainly paid off. Brava (or perhaps bravo, if I have misjudged your gender?).

-Merlin

Hello, just wanted to say that I really enjoyed this story. It was well-written and I found the CIP and CIM concepts rather intriguing and I'm glad you explored both. I know the -man fandom is rather tough to get good feedback from (and the number of well-written fics seem kind of dismal despite -man being a relatively popular anime), but I'm really glad you decided to write this. It's one of my favourite -man fics here. Cheers!

I loved the final 2 chapters of CIP. You got me close to tears and I have never cried at a sad story or fim before. You captured Tiedoll's emotions exactly as I would feel them to be. Keep writing. You have an amazing gift :)

Id like to know the story of what Lenalee showed Kanda to make him laugh?

This is an amazing story, Ive only just found it even though you finished it quite a while back now. Its probably one of the best fics Ive read, which is why I wanted to leave a review. I really liked the idea of 2 endings, giving different possiblilties. I would have liked to have also seen Kanda survive CIP and slowly regain his skills and memories over time, however thats just because I wanted to read more, the suicide ending was very realistic considering the situation. Although, I didnt 100% get it, as how did he kill himself without regenerating again...? How did he stop the curse/lotus, I didnt understand that and felt that could have been explained further. If he could have permernantly killed himself willingly, he might have done it a long time ago...
I kind of agree with ISeeClearly review in that kanda would rather have been ripped apart a million times than have that happen to him. But I guess its not exactly like he had a choice.
I would like to see Kanda get revenge though, he deserves it. Again, then it would be nice to have more to read too, haha.
Brill story, it would be awesome if you did more Kanda/DGM fics as you are an excellent writer and there really arent that many out there with your skill or level of maturity in writing in this fandom it seems.

Me me me! Pick me! I've decided to only read CIP chapters - though now that I know I'm missing juicy content such as the details of the interrogation,[SUPERSADFACE] I will probably go back on my decision and read the CIM chapters I didn't really intend to before. I want the angst, but I want the details! Oh, poo, you've put me in a right quandary!

But I do love this story.

Wow. Your story is so great, I really enjoyed the branching out of the story, it was a lot more to read! I'm really sorry that you wrote that you didn't want to write in this fandom because of the lack of reviews because you wrote so well here, oh well.

Whoa~! What can I say?

First of all, you write tremendusly well. I like the way you describe Marie's hearing especially!

Secondly, I think your Noahs are crueler than Hoshino's... XD

Thirdly: Sheril's gay! Ugh! XD XD XD

Finally: I am of the opinion than Kanda would rather be torn apart a million times rather than:

a. Be raped by a Noah(and a male one, too!)

b. Wear a white wig and pretend to be Allen Walker :P

Anyway, this is probably the best fanfiction I've ever read. The one best narrated, with the best dialogs, the characters' thoughts and behaviours best presented and most realistic, and so on. You've done a very good work, bravo!

Could you please explain me exactly what Sherill did to Kanda? How did he poison him? Was it a Noah power, or was it simply the despair and pain?

poor kanda. the turture he has to endure...and his beautifull hair... is gone...

This was a very well written story! You did an awesome job bringing all the characters' personalities into play! (Also I just realized I was commenting on a specific chapter, but I read the story to the end). I'll be looking up your other fics for sure. I hope you write more DGM stuff going forward as well :)

Alas, we do appear to be a lurking fandom. Consider this review my two cents into the bucket marked "please continue writing -fic," then.

This story...let me explain. No, there is too much; let me sum up. Last night, I was referred to this story by a fellow capslocker (on capslock_dgm, to be precise) because I had been speculating about how much fun Road would have with Kanda for a plaything, and apparently this fic formulated the other's opinion on the matter. (As it was in capslock, my speculation involved plenty of dress-up; WTF Wednesday usually involves some form of Kanda in drag/catgirl/Playboy!bunny/outlandish/flamingly gay clothing anyway. I was gleefully vindicated to find that you employed dress-up as well, however distressing Road's little roleplay was.)

Mind you, I had _work_ to do before I found this. I expected it to be a shortish juvenile piece that I could skip through for brief lulz before going about my urgent business that is vital to my GPA. I found myself glued to the computer screen, literally on the edge of my seat, biting my nails in suspense. For nine straight hours. Needless to say, I didn't get my work done. (At least I got to see the dawn again, I suppose; the sun rising over Salem Harbor is so beautiful.)

Your species of writing is rare on this site, and among fanfiction in general: so few typos, grammatical and spelling and logistical errors, that I find myself able to submerge in the story. And the story itself-well-characterised, grippingly plotted, chock-full of the details that I find so delicious-bears up well under scrutiny. Sometimes it was difficult for me to follow, to understand exactly what was going on, but that was mostly my poor attention span and the vagaries of the mystery/suspense/drama genre. You made me laugh out loud (not always that hard to do, but always a plus); you made me cry (considerably more difficult of an accomplishment); you made my imagination do wild contortions (which my imagination positively adores, let me tell you); you made me do absolutely nothing else for a longer stretch of time than I've had in quite a while. This deserves praise, and plenty of it.

I find that stories with staggering numbers of reviews are often stories in the middling quality level, garnering enthusiastic praise from its targeted market (the fangirls, mostly slash lovers); generally, romance fic of a popular pairing(s). Your story is not quite angled for the wider audience of this site: there is no romance, very little sex-none of it consensual, detailed, or "squee-worthy"-excruciating psychological elements, unflinching or unromanticised torture of a popular romantic hero, and complex plots and subplots that resolve themselves carefully, slowly, and subtly. The fans you have gathered are quieter, but no less passionate. I was recommended this story not once but twice by different people in the same conversation.

There are many reasons to love -man, and many more to love to play with it in the realms of fandom. I'm so happy that so many people like to spin their story and then put it up for all to read, no matter how weird or different from canon; yes, even the mpreg, because at least it's thinking and playing and celebrating something we love. Good fanfiction, really good fanfiction, does more than entertain; it takes you on a journey, and it reminds you of why you love the things you love. Your Allen and Kanda and Link and Lenalee and everyone are so candid, even and especially in their differences from Hoshino's work. I love seeing people's takes and theories on unresolved questions in the canon, both before and after the manga reveals them, and seeing a writer fold new information into a storyline as it comes to light reminds me of why I love the serial, the mutable, the room-to-grow nature of fanfic.

And yes, I used the word "love" far too many times there, but it's true. Even if you take your talents away from the -fandom, that this story will remain up for others to find and enjoy more than makes up for it. I'll stop there before my tl;dr reaches unbearable levels of philosophising platitude (if it hasn't already), but I believe my point has been made.

P.S. I ABSOLUTELY ADORED your including both endings in the published product! I wish more writers would do that! Not to the point where the narrative becomes unrecognisably splintered, but so that readers can look and see what could have been, and decide what it says about the story.

I really love ur story thanks :)

Спасибо вам за ваши труды, за ваш замечательный фик.

Thank you for your hard work, for your wonderful fic. You are great.

I was crying then Kanda died in the and of CIP part.

This fic is something amasing.

Я потрясена.

You are so talented.

Thank you thery match.