Randomly Insane Ramblings

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A week late, but I realized that I should probably let people know here on LJ (especially those who don't have a Tumblr) that I actually managed to finish the Christmas gifts this year. They're way, way too huge to post in a single entry. I'd have to split them up between maybe four posts. Given that feels a bit excessive to me, I'll just link to each individual gift as it was posted on the Dragon and Tiger tumblr as that very special Christmas-themed update. 12 posts total there. 12.

For the sake of simplicity, I will list all the gifts in (more or less) alphabetical order... with one or two exceptions.

A Sonic Remix WAFFy story about Katalina and Knuckles' first meeting when they were children for acrimonius. Katalina is nervous about teleporting to an entirely different planet, and even more so about meeting two friends she had never met face to face before.

An incredibly silly cracky story about the Batscots from aquaryu's Sexy Art God series of tutorials and comics. The Batscots want to go skiing. It all goes downhill from there.

A Lemmings WAFFy story about Lime, Sandy, and their newborn daughter Daisy for daimera. Even after so many terrible things have happened, at least they still have each other.

A My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic story starring my character Muse for kitsuja. A little mute filly named Muse is excited to go to the Grand Galloping Gala. A pity that fairy tale moments tend to be less glamorous in real life.

A Pokemon Remix WAFFy tale about Satoshi and Shigeru at the annual Okido Christmas party for neontiger. Shigeru is annoyed and Satoshi is annoying hijinx ensue.

A Tales of the Abyss Ion/Anise WAFFy story (with Dist as a guest star) for sagesoren. Anise wants to give Ion the best gift possible and winds up looking to Dist of all people for advice. (A special thanks goes to neontiger for co-writing this present with me, so it's a gift from both of us, Sage!)

Here's where the exceptions come in. firefury, one_amahira, turos_kensei, tengu and another friend of mine asked for general stories of a Warm And Fuzzy Feeling nature. I made a grab bag of 5 different stories that capture that mood and simply claim whatever story they like best as theirs if they wish to do so.

From the survival horror game, Ib, we have a story of introspection after the end of the game. Ib might be very quiet, but she is very thoughtful.

After the prologue of Dreaming To Reality: 02 Remix, Hikari and Takeru spend a pleasant summer day together. Light and Hope have a most curious relationship.

Akane is frustrated about what happened at the end of the Ranma 1/2 manga. Ranma had better get his act together, or perhaps he'll lose her for good this time.

A Yu Yu Hakusho story set years before the start of Four that contains some Spoilers for the first chapter. Amaya was somewhat different when she was a little girl.

After the ending of Yu-Gi-Oh! DM, Yugi has gotten much more mature. Unfortunately for him, this becomes something of a problem when Anzu spends the night at his house while his mom and grandpa are out of town.


I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that everyone enjoyed all the stories I worked so hard on. Man, I can hardly believe I finished all of these in a shockingly short amount of time despite missing out on the past couple years. Here's hoping next year's gifts will be even better!

Second verse, same as the first.

UPDATED: December 16, 7:24pm

Edit - This half of chapter seven is officially unlocked for public viewing. Suggestions for chapter preview images and feedback are always welcome.

Previous Chapters:
Chapter 1 - The One to Carry On
Chapter 2 - Second Thoughts
Chapter 3 - Third Degree Part 1/Part 2
Chapter 4 - Shield Maiden Part 1/Part 2
Chapter 5 - Go for Broke Part 1/Part 2
Chapter 6 - Sixth Sense
Chapter 7 - Seven Minute Lull - Part 1

Alternate Reading Venues: FanFiction.Net You-fic.net deviantART Archive of Our Own

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Want to read more? Next part comes out soon. Please leave feedback and let me know what you think!

So tired, but finally I have chapter 7 ready for beta. Please give feedback about what works, what doesn't, and if something doesn't how to fix it. Also, title suggestions please. I'm really hoping to be able to post tomorrow.

UPDATED: December 16, 6:20pm

Edit - This half of chapter seven is officially unlocked for public viewing. Suggestions for chapter preview images and feedback are always welcome.

Previous Chapters:
Chapter 1 - The One to Carry On
Chapter 2 - Second Thoughts
Chapter 3 - Third Degree Part 1/Part 2
Chapter 4 - Shield Maiden Part 1/Part 2
Chapter 5 - Go for Broke Part 1/Part 2
Chapter 6 - Sixth Sense

Alternate Reading Venues: FanFiction.Net You-fic.net deviantART Archive of Our Own

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Want to read more? Head on to Chapter 7 - Seven Minute Lull - Part 2.

Sorry that I haven't posted for a while or updated a lot of things. Real life can be incredibly difficult sometimes. I had intended to have the next chapter of Four up today, but I underestimated how difficult a number of things going on in my life would be, thus preventing me from getting it finished. I am working on it, and Ask RGB, but progress is going to be slow a bit longer. Please be bear with me for a bit longer. I haven't forgotten those waiting to read more of my work.

Until then, here is the Christmas flash fiction story that was supposed to go to sagesoren a couple Christmases ago. I was going to post them all in one update this year, but it might be better if I just post the ones I do have done and just add more as I finish those. A special thanks to neontiger for helping me write this. Enjoy!

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Anise turned the doorknob slowly, careful not to make a sound as she slowly pushed the door open. Although Ion wasn’t a particularly light sleeper, she didn’t want to risk an ill-timed creak of metal to give her away. She slipped into the dark room once the crack between the door and frame was just big enough to wedge her body through to lessen the amount of light that would spill inside from the hall. She closed the door as quickly as she dared and kept her hand upon the knob even after it was securely shut. She waited, straining to hear anything other than the faint sound of the Fon Master breathing. He hadn’t stirred from her entrance, but there was a chance that someone might have seen her. She had taken extra precautions to make certain to slip in undetected, but she couldn’t let her guard down. It would be just like Jade to notice her despite how careful she was, so that he could his presence known, loudly, while asking why Anise was pretending to be a cat burglar, or something equally embarrassing. The last thing she wanted to do was explain what she was doing in Ion’s bedroom, even if she was his Fon Master Guardian.

A full minute ticked by. When it was clear that no one was coming, Anise almost felt disappointed. The Colonel must have been slipping or too distracted by overseeing Saphir. Being the former God General’s parole officer was a tough job, but at least it was hilarious to watch.

Anise almost relaxed, but then quickly reminded herself that she was still at risk of being caught. If she was sloppy now, Ion would wake up and all her careful planning would be ruined. She watched the bed, thankful that her pause had allowed her eyes to the darkness, and slowly crept her way towards it.

Ion had no idea Anise was there, she could tell. He slept in that same, serene, unguarded posture that she was used to seeing. His breathing came deep and even, his chest rising and falling underneath the thin white sheets. Anise watched that movement, her own breath catching once or twice. Each breath Ion took reminded her that he was alive. There was no terrible glow of fonons breaking up and disappearing around him, his body breaking down into nothing. He was whole, and he seemed healthier now than she had ever known him.

Yet Anise couldn’t stop this new ritual she had made for herself. She had to come see him every night and watch him breathe. She couldn’t sleep until she saw for herself that he was there and still alive. It had been like that since his revival. She hated this anxious feeling yet was strangely grateful for it. It was far easier to bear than the guilt that it was her fault Ion died. However, that guilt was still there at the back of her mind, whispering in a terrible snide voice that sounded too much like her own. It still reminded her that even though Saphir brought Ion back for her sake, she still made a terrible decision that led to Ion’s death. That fact would never change. Both her guilt and anxiety were easier to bear when she reminded herself that Ion was alive now and she would give up her own life before she would allow Ion to die.

“I won’t make that mistake again.”

Anise covered her mouth when she realized she had whispered her thought aloud, as though the action would take back those words, and winced at the quiet smack of skin hitting skin at a slightly uncomfortable velocity. She silently cursed her clumsiness in language most unbefitting to a young lady such as herself, and decided that she had better sneak away before she risked Ion waking up.

Anise kept darting her eyes between the bed and the door as she made her way through the dark bedroom. Somehow the space between her and the door had grown to twice in length. Halfway there she hesitated, as there were no signs that Ion had been disturbed by the noise she thoughtlessly made. Just a few seconds more, part of her whispered, but she had already indulged herself too much. It would be just awful if Ion found out about all this. He probably would blame himself for dying and apologize, again. There was no way she was going to hear him tell her he was sorry for something she did ever again.

Biting back the urge to sigh, Anise slipped out the door. She allowed herself one final look to verify that Ion was still sleeping. Ion was still alive and sleeping peacefully, dreaming of whatever fluffy dreams that only Ion could conjure up. He was content, relaxed, and enjoying some well earned sleep, so why shouldn’t she do the same?

“Goodnight, Ion-sama.”

All was still inside the Fon Master's room after Anise had shut the door behind her. Once the knob had clicked shut, Ion slowly sat up and turned to look at the closed door – and undoubtedly where his Guardian stood. He was quiet for a moment before he smiled softly. “Goodnight, Anise.”

It's funny how I can get started on a chapter ahead of time but still wind up behind late getting it ready. I think it might be that the aftermath of a battle is inherently awkward. Finished now, and opinions are greatly craved. I always worry about lengthy conversations. _{And fight scenes, and being IC, and typos, and wit, etc, etc, etc.} Let me know if something can be improved/fixed or if I'm just being silly and it's fine.

So far the title seems like it's going to be "Sixth Sense" (as it's the best title with six in it that I can think of) but if anyone has a better idea then please suggest it.

Gasp! The entire chapter fits in only one post! After three chapters of two-parters I'm back to one again! Hurray!

UPDATED: October 16, 8:20pm

Edit - Chapter six is officially unlocked for public viewing. Suggestions for chapter preview images and feedback are always welcome.

Previous Chapters:
Chapter 1 - The One to Carry On
Chapter 2 - Second Thoughts
Chapter 3 - Third Degree Part 1/Part 2
Chapter 4 - Shield Maiden Part 1/Part 2
Chapter 5 - Go for Broke Part 1/Part 2

Alternate Reading Venues: FanFiction.Net You-fic.net deviantART Archive of Our Own

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Want to read more? Head on to Chapter 7 - Seven Minute Lull - Part 1.

Over the years, neontiger and I have received a lot of lovely art from fans of our stories. I originally tried posting them on FF.net, but I decided that just made things too cluttered. I've decided to streamline my profile and post all of the fan art here in a much more convenient format. This way I can also white out the spoilers for your convenience. The artwork has been sorted by artist with the artist's names listed in alphabetical order.

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[Chapter Spoiler] []. Click here if you don't mind spoilers

Someday I'll be back to chapters that can fit in a single post. Opinions/suggestions are greatly desired.

Man, it's challenging properly wrapping up something so intense in a succinct way. Any ideas on how to tighten it up?

And an idea came! What do you think? Too short or anything better you can come up with?

UPDATED: September 16, 10:00pm


Edit - This half of chapter five is officially unlocked for public viewing. Suggestions for chapter preview images and feedback are always welcome.

Previous Chapters:
Chapter 1 - The One to Carry On
Chapter 2 - Second Thoughts
Chapter 3 - Third Degree Part 1/Part 2
Chapter 4 - Shield Maiden Part 1/Part 2
Chapter 5 - Go for Broke - Part 1

Alternate Reading Venues: FanFiction.Net You-fic.net deviantART Archive of Our Own

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Want to read more? Head on to Chapter 6 - Sixth Sense.

Hey, I'm actually posting the draft over two weeks early for a change! Okay, it's not done, but I'm getting a head start instead of rushing at the last minute. Opinions are greatly desired. Tell me what parts work, what needs improvement, and I'd love suggestions for the title relating to 5 that's 21 characters long or less (including spaces).

Possible titles so far:
Fifth Symphony
Take Five
High Five
Fifth Wheel
Five Parts
Five Acts
Five Alarm
Five Senses
Go for Broke (the current front runner)

Now that I've gotten to this point of the battle winding down I'm wondering if I've overdone it. Is it too intense/dramatic? Should I soften it somehow or trim it down, and if so, how? Or am I just being a worrypants like usual? Opinions please.

Aaaaand we're winding down to the end is when it forces me to split the chapter in half. Again. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO BREATHER CHAPTERS WHERE I CAN HAVE SINGLE POSTS AGAIN.

UPDATED: September 16, 10:00pm


Edit - This half of chapter five is officially unlocked for public viewing. Suggestions for chapter preview images and feedback are always welcome.

Previous Chapters:
Chapter 1 - The One to Carry On
Chapter 2 - Second Thoughts
Chapter 3 - Third Degree Part 1/Part 2
Chapter 4 - Shield Maiden Part 1/Part 2

Alternate Reading Venues: FanFiction.Net You-fic.net deviantART Archive of Our Own

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Want to read more? Head on to Chapter 5 - Go for Broke - Part 2.

Over time I've been asked a lot of questions about the stories neontiger and I write. Since I'm not really into writing authors' notes before story chapters anymore, I believe a nice centralized question and answer page would be prudent. I am also listing the current status of all my stories here as well. Why am I not making this part of the Yuki FAQ page? Well, I believe I answered that in question number 16.

Just as a warning, there will be spoilers here. They will be hidden in white text on white background that will be revealed when highlighted. (Just look for the [Chapter Spoiler] [] tag.) I will also make sure to specify where specifically in the story the spoiler takes place, so those who have read up to that point should be able to look safely while those who have not can skip it if they so choose. I will not be spoiling aspects of any story unless it has already appeared in a chapter or if the story has been finished/discontinued. I might tease about future plot points, but there will be no free peeks at upcoming chapters, sorry!

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