Maybe my brain isn't fully functioning right now, but I don't see how they thought it made sense for Tomoe to stay behind. Kenshin and Aoshi not being anywhere in the castle when they were supposed to be would have immediately made it obvious that they had caught on to Shishio's plan regardless of whether or not Tomoe stayed behind. Even in their rushed state that should have been obvious to all three of them.
Also, in the part of this chapter that focused on Aoshi's thoughts you said that three years ago Aoshi and Kenshin both served in the military at seventeen, the standard age of conscription, but then later when Kenshin was talking with Tomoe you said that Kenshin enlisted five years ago. That seems contradictory. Unless you're saying that Kenshin was, for some reason, allowed to enlist at 15, two years before he was the standard age for conscription and Aoshi was conscripted two years later when they were both 17? Though even if that's what you meant, it doesn't really make sense what with Kenshin being King Katsura's closest blood relation, making him the most likely person to be next-in-line for the throne, which should have made Katsura and his loyal nobles reluctant to let him go into battle at all, much less when he was two years under the age of conscription.
Overall this story seems like it could be good, it's just the things I mentioned that didn't really make sense to me.

I devoured this fic right after finishing Alchemy! Your writing style and narrative are just so perfect! Perfect pacing, perfect tone for the genre, perfect characterization. I love everything about this. It felt as though I was with the whole group, through their first meetings down to the revolution. Thank you so much for sharing this! It had been a good weekend for me because I had this fic to entertain me :)

This is probably one of the most underrated RK Fanfics I’ve ever read. First off i really enjoy the way you write and your storytelling. It gives off that “classic fairytale” mood and you really are able to bring the audience into a world of your own. It really puts my imagination to work. You dont even need to be too descriptive of certain scenes (battle scenes and the plot) to understand whats going on. I love how you described tender KK moments. I loved reading those parts and i hope there were more. Im not a writer but i do love to read and i can imagine how awkward it can be to write such scenes but you did it very well. I hope you continue to write to this day cuz you really have a talent.

By far, one of my most favorite stories. I even read it three times. :D Love the plot, how the characters developed and think it’s very well written! Can’t wait to dead more RK stories from you!

not sure if you still read reviews but fantastic storyi thoroughly enjoyed reading itwell done and thankyou!

Loved it! Obsessed from beginning to end :) some I saw coming and some I didn’t so great writing. Loved the personal twist on a classic take :)

Great story, lovely plot and characterization. can't wait to read your next

This was an absolute joy to readlove it!

Your writing is so wonderful! It is not to often that fanfic writers serve to extend their reader's vocabulary, which you have absolutely done. I enjoyed this story's plot as well as its storytelling sections at the beginning. Love your style. THANKYOU FOR WRITING THIS!

I really liked this story! I think it was well done all around!

After Saito saved Kaoru's life, you mentioned her having heard him always saying Aku Soku Zan, but in an earlier chapter you told us that he believed he had left that creed behind years ago, so how could he have 'always been saying Aku Soku Zan'? That would imply he said it even when he thought he didn't believe in it anymore, which wouldn't make sense. I know that he's realized now that he never truly stopped believing in it, but it was only very recently that he realized that.

You certainly surprised me - I didn't see Karou as the night watchman till she got up to go "on duty". Nice story so far.

Well, you did kind of give away the end when you dropped hints about a king and queen changing the laws about royalty marrying commoners... :D Have to say Hiko in the "Friar Tuck" slot made my day. I really liked your versions of Aoshi, Sano, and Yahiko, too. And of course Kenshin and Kaoru... 3

Hey, you're doing great with romantic tension. Poor Kenshin... :D

Aww, the fluff was cute. :] Hiko as personal therapist, though? :D :D :D