It's been almost a decade since this was written which sounds surreal to even think about but, I used to read this dozens of times as middle schooler back then. I would say this is absolutely one of those writing styles that influenced me, even if I can see its few flaws now after growing so much, it's forever dear to me and timeless; I appreciate this gem so much. Thank you.

PLEASE CONTINUE!
I enjoyed reading this and I hope you will make a part two.
This story was AMAZING TIMES 10! _ I could've never ever written such story in my life.
Well, at least not better than you... I hope you'll make more than 3 parts for me and other people to enjoy, thanks

that was so good! such an amazing writer u are! This story is amazing!

When I read the summary, I thought this story was going to be another one of those "forbidden-love-fluff-happy-ending" fanfics. Not at all saying that particular style is bad (I guiltily enjoy them very much), with FF overflowed with billions of them, it's only a natural assumption.
However, I was pleasantly (if one could say that after the tragic ending) surprised by the beautiful tale you have presented. The rain serves wonderfully as symbolism and transitions as Mio progresses through her happiness and sorrows of love. The ending left me speechless. Like Mio, I fervently wished for Ritsu's return. I was in denial from all the signs of the warrior's death and of the creeping edge of delusions. Only as I re-read the story again did I realize how perfect the conclusion is, where it mirrors the first scene in mood and picks up smoothly to end this fantastic story.
I do have one complaint, however. The way Ritsu speaks and acts during the beginning of their relationship seems to be unimaginably informal for the time period. She is, after all, a commoner. From later scenes one can see that Ritsu has a sense of her place and isn't entirely unaware of the social gap between her and Mio. Especially when she leaves without being dismissed after Mio thanks her for kicking the viper's ass seems suspicious to me.
Anyway, I shall now be following your work earnestly because I can't get enough of your beautiful writing. Thanks for posting this story.

That's horrible. That's rape. But I guess those times were just like that. ~sigh~ Anyway I enjoyed this...

I've loved this fanfic so much! It's wonderful!

Oookay, oookay... I'm an idiot... I was actually too busy to review (even though I read this about a month ago) but xmas vacation start and I finally have time to review everything I've left behind :D So, don't hate me please :)

Dooooh! I looove this! Even though the end makes me sad cuz the idea of Ritsu dying and Mio having delusions isn't the greatest thing, I prefer to just think that Ritsu after the war lost her way home, but in the end managed to get back.

I love those two~! Please write more!

Once again : Wow. Seriously, your stories are now my only entertainment until K-on movie yeh. So please write more XD

i'm speechless. i dont think i can listen to Samidare the same way ever again. to me it just sounds like Mio is crying for Ritsu's return now, in the song

this is just amazing and beautiful. thank you for writing this.

Holy shit this is amazing! Everything just flows so well, and each scene is just so beautiful! They are all different, yet they are all connected.

I love the ambiguous ending as well. I'm not even going guess what really happened. I'll just leave it open in mind, like you did here.

Thank you for this amazing story. I'm looking at K-on in a completely different way now, and certainly Im going to listen to Samidare differently now :')

Yo

!

OMG! I thought that this would be like all the other angsty Fic’s out there but it wasn’t! I’m very glad, I was literally fearing for Mio. You write very well. I’m so glad that Ritsu came back, and into Mio’s arms! Oh, the historical setting is awesome… really, I go gaga whenever I find these historical world Fic’s (I’m obsessed with the past).

Seeyas X3

I really shouldn't read this after Under the Azure Sky shit can't stop crying now...

I love the whole feel of story, the initial meeting, the following friendship and the forbidden love and the bittersweet parting...

except that was the last time they'll ever see each other. Nooo!

As much as I want a sweet ending where they reunite again, this is actually better, so Mio won't have to suffer, alone, anymore!

Damn you Chibisuke so tearjerking where are your humor stories...

Seriously, when you want angst you write a really cool one and when you want comedy and light you also write a really funny one!

That's really wonderful!

You are awesome~~

omg i totally cried like a baby here ;A; no sriously real tears they just came out when i read the line 'just so 'he' can come home' my head is just filled with image of Ricchan all hurt but continued to fight in the battle field just so she can go back to see Mio omg i can't stop cryin

I wasn't familiar with the song, so I went to search for it before re-reading... (I have to thank you, though, since I was able to find other K-On! songs because of this.)

Mio sounds really sad now, even though it is supposed to sound upbeat...

Why does this story have to be so sad? (I already kind of expected Mio's "death-by-depression", but still... Man, I'm almost going to cry!)

Has all the drugs gone to your head to write such a heart-sobbing piece? (Okay, even I'm not making sense anymore.)

Going to read your happier stories (again for the 3rd time after reading this) before I permanently go into depression...