12 - 2 - 07
Yes, I finally updated! Woot!
I admit, I didn't write chapter 20 as fast as I could, because I have come to notice that I tend to write better when I'm in a certain mood. Only when I'm in that mood do I produce better dialogues (and scenes). I find that it's better that way, since I don't have to force myself and I have more time improving the chapter as I progressed. Hopefully, you will like what this new chapter has to offer. Happy reading!

For those who want to get a hold of me, to rant for not updating or whatnot, you can catch me at YM as sailor_zephyrus.

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Favorites: Inuyasha (manga), Rurouni Kenshin (anime, manga, OVA), Card Captor Sakura (anime, manga), Yu Yu Hakusho (anime), Tactics, Sakura Taisen (the 2nd OVA & game), Ranma ½ (anime), Escaflowne (movie), Spirited Away, You’re Under Arrest (Season 2), Fruits Basket (anime & manga), and Naruto (anime & manga)

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Helios-chan Recommends:
Some of my most favorite fics are those not (or no longer) found in fanfiction dot net. But as a tribute to these great fanfictions, I'm putting them here. I hope you guys will enjoy reading them as much as I did. Drop me a line and let me know what you think of them.

Of Love and Honor by Tin Mandigma- Anime: Rurouni Kenshin; Characters: Aoshi/Misao
My all-time favorite fanfiction. I read this fic even before I discovered fanfic dot net. Even after all these years, I still love the story and I don't get tired of reading and rereading it. Too bad though it's unfinished. I would have liked to read the ending. But still, overall, it's a superb fic.

Fragment of Eternity by Maiden of the Moon - Anime: Inuyasha; Characters: Inuyasha/Kagome
It starts funny in the beginning but as the story progresses, you see the real drama and unveil the reason why Inuyasha, a ghost, cannot move on. It is an unlikely love story, full of tension and unexpected twists and turns. Very nice fanfiction.

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A Simple Guide to Japanese Names (Ver. 2)

First of all, I would like to tell everyone that I am not fluent in Japanese. Since I know there are some people are not familiar with the meanings of '-san' or '-chan' or '-kun', let me give you a run down of these names. I got most of the info from AnimeSPEAK while a few, I learned through research and watching hours and hours of anime.

'-san' = This means Mister or Miss, depending on the person you are talking to. It is quite formal. Some people have the impression that you can just call anyone '-san.' Actually, it really depends on how close you are to the person or what the person's status is. Since it is a formal way of calling somebody, you usually reserve it for calling acquaintances, persons you just metor those of higher positions than you. But if you already know the person, and you are quite close to him or her, it would be quite inappropriate to still call him/her '-san'. But what, you might say, is the reason for Sakura calling Yukito as 'Yukito-san' in Card Captor Sakura? Well, I think because it's a sign of her respect for him, andshe can't very well call him 'Yukito-chan' or 'Yukito-sama' after all...

'-chan' =This is used in a variety of instances.This could be used to by girls who are close to each other. (Like the way Sango calls Kagome as 'Kagome-chan.') It is also used when you are fond of somebody or something, such as a pet or a person's nickname ('Pee-chan' in Ranma 1/2 or 'Inu-chan', as some fanfic writers like to call our favorite hanyou). '-chan' can also be used to call children ('Yahiko-chan' in Rurouni Kenshin or 'Shippou-chan' in Inuyasha).

'-sama' = This is used to call people who you respect highly (Like the way Misao calls Aoshi as 'Aoshi-sama') or who are in a high position, like emperors and gods (Like 'kami-sama' which means god.) When you add 'O' as a prefix, it adds to the honorific title. (It is more polite and honorificto call a mother as 'Okaa-sama' than just 'kaa-san'. It is what Tomoyo in CCS calls her mother.)

'-kun' = There are two uses for this. It is used often heard in anime used by girls to call their male counterparts of the same level or grade. Basically, you can address a male friend as '-kun'. (Such as 'Syaoran-kun' or 'Hiiragizawa-kun' in CCS).'-kun' can also beused to call subordinates.(Like the way Ohgami calls Sakura as 'Sakura-kun' in Sakura Taisen)

By the surname/family name only = This is used to call personal acquaintances. Unlike when you add '-san' to the end, this an informal way of calling someone. It's quite rude to use this to call somebody you just met though, especially if you want to make a good impression.

By the first name/given name= Calling somebody by their first name is usually reserved for friends you are close to. Unlike in the West, you just don't call somebody in Japan by their first name especially if you two have just met. But what about in Inuyasha? Well, first of all, the characters there don't have surnames. So why doesn't Kagome call him 'Inuyasha-kun' and yet she calls Kouga as 'Kouga-kun'? Beats me... Maybe because she's a lot closer to Inuyasha than Kouga...or something...

I hope this quick guide helps a bit on your fanfiction reading.