[ Saiyuki, XTB, X/XXXholic, TRC, FMA, DBZ, CCS, House ]

[tomomichi]

Notes/Babbling: Don't let the House fics fool you--they're all very short, so I didn't really read that much. Still all CLAMP-y, for the most part. >__>a
Series:
    Saiyuki - 1 Fanfic
    X/Tokyo Babylon - 6 Fanfics
    X/XXXholic - 1 Fanfic
    Tsubasa RESERVoir Chronicles - 1 Fanfic
    Full Metal Alchemist - 1 Fanfic
    Dragon Ball Z - 1 Fanfic
    Cardcaptor Sakura - 1 Fanfic
    House - 8 Fanfics



- Saiyuki - Minutia by Veszelyite - I had absolutely no idea what to expect from this fic, as the summary only reads: People with valuable possessions should learn to take better care of them. But it was short and I was thoroughly entranced by the author's genfic previously, and so I clicked onto the link. And, good lord, I don't think I've giggled this hard in quite awhile, it was just so utterly, perfectly timed and one of those things that... y'know those cute little urasai things at the end of each episode of the RELOAD anime? This was sort of like that, only even funnier because it plays on those official images we've all seen and just... yeah, why DOESN'T this happen? I can totally see this in one of those little parody omakes and it's genius. I still laugh just thinking about it. (No warnings/pairings.)

- X - In My Line of Work II by Leareth - I'm rec'ing this seperately from the first story because a) it's long enough for that and b) I want to. Mostly, it's that second bit, really. All of what I said about the first fic also applies to this story--incredible writing, fantastic and genuinely engaging original characters, brilliantly done casefic in the X universe, and a Seishirou/Subaru relationship that's amazingly detailed and so incredibly perfect. I continue to love the balance struck--you totally understand why the detectives are creeped out by Seishirou, why he raises their hackles (Leareth does a gorgeous job of making Seishirou that quiet sort of threatening that you can't put your finger on, but is everywhere when he's around), why they think his relationship with Subaru is so unhealthy, but at the same time still manages to carry across what attracts me so fiercely to it. The connection between them, the elegance of both characters, the powerful meaning to everything, the gorgeous way they interact... every time Seishirou touches Subaru, it's a fight for my inner fangirl not to swoon dramatically.

But it's also that nothing is skimped on when it comes to the details, nor are you overloaded with info dumps or bored stupid by it. Everything is slowly unveiled to the detectives, pieces of the puzzle slowly fall into place, the case is being built in front of the readers' eyes and it all makes sense. You can see how the detectives put the pieces together, that it makes sense from their perspective, you get how they're tipped off to who's behind these murders, yet they still don't know everything. And that's one of the things I love about these stories--when you know the story of X, all of the magic and powers they have, it's easier to understand exactly what happened. Yet, the story still makes sense from the perspective of characters who don't believe in the magic (even if they might have hints) and that impresses me every time I reread this story. Plus. You know. Some of the absolute best SxS characterization out there. Seishirou's dangerous grace, Subaru's quiet balance between heartache and determination, the gorgeous writing... ...okay, okay, I'll shut up now. Hmph. (Some Seishirou/Subaru.)

- X - Room to Breathe by Kelsey - I was supposed to be focusing on finishing up a few other stories. But I'd read the remix of this story (the one from Subaru's point of view, while this original one was from Seishirou's point of view) and then I had the stray thought, "Oh, hey, that's right, Seishirou and Subaru living together in surprising ease... I need to read more of that." and couldn't focus until I'd read it. And, damn, what I wouldn't give for more stories like this one, because Kelsey writes a gem of a fic, makes me believe the quiet space Seishirou and Subaru carved out for themselves here is possible. It's gorgeous because it doesn't stretch the characters too far, Seishirou isn't out of character when he lets Subaru stay, Subaru isn't too far out of character when he accepts/understands who/what Seishirou is and stays anyway. There're no great, dramatic, overwrought moments, instead there are gorgeous little moments that are in tune with the characters so that everything pops clearly into my head, vividly clear. ....I'm explaining this badly and I wish I could put this into better words because I'm absolutely taken with the story Kelsey puts forth here, it... it's one of those stories that reminds me why this pairing doesn't have to be one extreme or the other--it's not always crack or depressingly painful, sometimes there are spaces of something wonderful in between. And when the author still manages to capture the elegance and beauty of the characters and makes me buy the characterization? That's when I fall in love all over again. ....shut up, you all knew how much I loved these two, how can you expect anything less fangirly from me? *hmphs again* (Seishirou/Subaru.)

- X - Sweet Dreams Are Made of These by Kelsey - ....heeheehee. Okay, don't get me wrong. I do love those spaces in between, where things aren't one extreme or the other. But that also doesn't mean I don't enjoy the hell out of the crack that this fandom puts forth, because you need something to balance out all the pain. Plus, Kelsey writes fantastic crack--right from Subaru sleep-walking (in his pjs! XD) to Seishirou's apartment to the interruption of their fun when Subaru wakes up (heeheehee XD) to the perfect ending that still makes me cackle, the comedic timing of the fic is great. Plus, there's a brief mention of a rubber duckie and Subaru's rationalizing of the entire incident. Both those things are utterly worth reading the fic for. Oh, and the smoochies. One can never, ever forget the SxS smoochies being worth reading. ♥ (Seishirou/Subaru, a little bit of others.)

- X - Family Traditions by Kelsey - Aaaaaand yet again I'm all, "Heeheehee!" over a crack story that makes me all shiny and sparkly over the fandom again. Because... the idea of Setsuka waiting with Seishirou, counting down the minutes until Subaru dies, so she can meet the young man who her darling son was so obsessed over... just... amuses the hell out of me. The ending is totally brain-breaky, but in the way that makes me giggle still more and cackle because poor Subaru's life (and, apparently, death) are just so very traumatic. It's so cute when he's trying to run away but is helplessly trapped. <3 (Setsuka x Seishirou x Subaru. ....yes. >D)

- X - Slow Burn by Meia - Lovely writing about Subaru looking back on how he fell in love, when he realized it, what he does with it, and what he still doesn't know. Lovely writing, it hits on all the right points, making a wistful, sad story with some very nice imagery to it. I think the real strength of the story is the examples Meia uses, the kind that pop images straight into my head and illustrate the moments in time they needed to--what I mean is that each little example did a very clear job of eliciting the feeling it needed to. :D (Seishirou/Subaru.)

- X/Tokyo Babylon - Illusory Tandem by Tanuki-dono - I've been slowly reading this story over the past four days or so, surprised at how long the story has gotten since the first chapter went up over at CLAMPesque and, yet, still antsy for the rest of it, because the story is really shaping up to be something. The basic premise is of Subaru somehow being tossed back in time, back to the Tokyo Babylon era, only with this story, he's still in his X body, still with all his bitterness and depression and anger after X16/17/18 around in full force. Actually, if I were going to have one complaint about the story, it's that Subaru feels a little too detached, given that Seishirou and Hokuto are both running around still alive and he could change things. There have been moments when you see glimmers of his reaction, but I'd like to have seen more; this is Subaru, after all.

However, that's a small complaint in the face of a story that's actually developing a plot--even though not much has really been revealed yet (the mysterious and powerful force that seems to be lurking in the background has hardly anything known about it, it may not even truly be there, X!Subaru seems to be planning something, slowly setting up a life to allow him some breathing room to get it under way, TB!Subaru seems to be getting caught up in something...), things are happening. One of the greatest joys about the story is reading the Tokyo Babylon-era antics of Seishirou, Subaru, and Hokuto, the author does a fantastic job of capturing the sense of fun (yet still tempered with darker elements because of the story) they have together, combined with the things of Seishirou's true nature and the darker future set out for them.

I find myself very curious as to where the story is going, what's going to happen next, how things are going to eventually end up, just what is going to happen. The author does a good job with writing a smooth, readable narrative, of capturing a storyline that feels like a cross between Tokyo Babylon and X, of making me genuinely looking forward to the next part, despite the ratcheting sense of tension and darkness that may or may not come to a head. Grr. Want more NOW. >F (Some Seishirou/Subaru.)

- X/XXXholic - Appropriateness by Sakanagi - And this was a darling little X/XXXholic crossover, where Kamui goes to Yuuko to get his Wish granted and... things don't work out exactly as planned. It's the way Yuuko reacts to Kamui's "gift" for her, the way Yuuko casually tells Watanuki to go get something for Kamui that's in the back room "in between the bandolier with bells in and the eyeball in a jar." and the ending. Hee! ♥ (No warnings/pairings, not really.)

- Tsubasa RESERVoir Chronicles - Gravity by Shi-Lin - Since I've been in a CLAMP-y mood lately, naturally, that means I must also turn towards TRC fic, which means finally catching up on Shi-chan's fic, because she writes the lovely stuff that always makes me go *hanyan~* This story is no exception, a sad, bittersweet Syaoran story about Sakura-hime waking up and the painful realization of just what exactly he's given up and what that really means, every time he looks at her. The imagery of the story is suitably CLAMP-ish, drawing me in and letting me feel the storm raging around and in Syaoran from that scene in the manga, Shi Lin does a fantastic job bringing that moment to her story and making it come alive again. The ending is also perfect for these characters--bittersweet, but not depressing. Loved this. ♥ (Some gentle Syaoran/Sakura.)

- Full Metal Alchemist - Watch Me by TwigCollins - He has absolutely no right to be annoyed with his oncoming death. Edward has put himself in harm's way so often he's surprised they don't call him the Lemming Alchemist. Roy will probably carve it on his grave. Okay, maybe the line really isn't that great of an indicator of the rest of the fic, but I had to have it be the one I quoted because it's a great line. XD My one complaint about this story is that it seems faintly disjointed or incoherent as a whole, but that may be a sense of preference, rather than a truly viable complaint. Because the writing is fantastic, it's incredibly polished, smooth, and easy to read, flowing well enough that I just slid along the entire story while I was reading it. Also, given that Ed is injured and he's not exactly coherently thinking, I take back a lot of my nitpicking, because... thinking about it, the sort of disjointed feeling works for Ed's fevered dreams of his potential future. What I liked about the dream he had is that... it was unsettling and vaguely frightening because I could see it being a possibility, that his genius could be set on the wrong path if he were to lose just a little too much. I loved some of the implications in the story, that surely, surely someone was watching over him, that they wouldn't just let a child prodigy run around without thinking about what he might grow up to be, and the vaguely unsettling thought that maybe no one had thought of that and... okay, I'm rambling and possibly giving away too much. Anyway. Good writing, very good unsettling/disturbing feel to it, and one of those hidden gems of a fic that I pine so much for in this fandom. <3 (No warnings/pairings.)

- Dragonball Z - Mind of a Prince by Trin - You know, I've been waiting for this one to be finished forever, because... well, normally, I don't mind unfinished stories, I always go in with the idea that there may never be any more of the fic, ever, because I know how hard it is to finish stories a lot of times. But every once in awhile, there's a story that I want the next part of so badly that I can't read it as it's being written and I have to wait for it to be finished--and seeing that this one was finished? I gleefully skipped over to read it, because Trin-san writes really great DBZ fic. And this Vejiita/Bulma get-together fic (in those three years we know nothing about) is quite possibly my favorite of its genre, simply because the writing is genuinely clever and sharp, I believe that these two characters are the quick-witted, fiercely intelligent characters that they needed to be. The story also takes its time slowly moving them towards a relationship, done in such a way that I can believe Vejiita would accept it and Bulma would want it, the slow progression from Vejiita simply staying at the Briefs' home to the UST-laden verbal matches they get into to the way it slowly changes over time. Also, the framing scenes of Dende being the one to recount the story to Mr. Popo are adorable, I sparkled every time there was a little 'intermission' with them, because it worked as a great way to keep the story rolling. Also, it was adorable seeing Dende being so enthusiastic about learning about "romantic love" and seeing Mr. Popo slowly being caught up in the story without realizing it. But mostly it's the Vejiita/Bulma snark that makes this story a fantastic treat to read, it's one of those stories that isn't just good considering the DBZ fandom, it's good, period. So, so much love for this story. ♥ (Vejiita/Bulma.)

- Cardcaptor Sakura - What I Like About Winter by baka deshi - *shimmers* Touya! And Yue! Oh, I had such fun with this story, because the humor was genuinely good (Touya and Kero-chan's interaction at the beginning was hilarious... and Keroberos and Yue and their snowfight? HA! <3), but also because the relationship between Touya and Yukito/Yue was wonderfully done, there were moments of amusement, of attraction, of sadness, all blended together wonderfully. Fantastic Touya POV, a sparklingly fun CCS fic, and an ending that makes me go all, "Awwww! *coos*" Definitely one of the better CCS fics I've read lately. ♥ (Touya x Yukito/Yue.)

- House - Endings by Butterbuns - Okay, granted, the writing of this story is a little stiff, but it was really short (only 2k) and it was labelled House/Cuddy and I know, I know that I shouldn't get involved in 'shipping this fandom in any sort of way, but... the story was cute and the ending hit me exactly right. Somehow I could just picture this story. ....dammit. (House/Cuddy.)

- House - Fides by Athenae - I'll grant that I was a little worried about a story labelled as "House/Cameron friendship" because I worry that focusing on one Duckling over the other would be awkward, but... this story is so perfectly, painfully in tune with the series that I couldn't help falling in love. The insights into both House and Cameron's characters are fantastic, the follow-up perfect for just after the episode "Fidelity" and hit all the exact notes that their interaction should hit. Right down to the imagery used (especially the description of Cameron's furniture), I think this may be one of the absolute best House fics out there. (No warnings/pairings, I wouldn't say.)

- House - Match by Athenae - This was a really nice example of why the House - Wilson friendship works, even in their less upbeat moments. Even when they're down and prickly and would drive most people away, somehow these two still manage to be remain friends and this story does a very nice job of showing why. When Wilson's latest marraige is ending and he goes out to get very, very drunk, and there's some gorgeous House-style snarking to be had. Woven together with meaningful comments (but still in that House sort of way, so I could hear the actors saying their lines) but never going too far with them, this was a nice fic to read. ....wow, that's a terrible rec. (No warnings/pairings.)

- House - Medicinal Purposes by Jayne Leitch - Now, I think any story by this author is worth reading (as you'll soon see >__>a), but I think this one wound up being my favorite. Only half because it was fun House/Cuddy interaction, but half because it was upbeat and snarky in that great way the show has. House and Cuddy's dynamic fascinates me for the very reasons you see in this fic--she can actually regularily fire back and score some great hits on him. Plus, this was just so utterly House. Both the character and the show. ♥ ....dammit. (Some slight House/Cuddy, but it's totally gen.)

- House - Let No Man Put Asunder by Jayne Leitch - I had no idea what to expect when I clicked onto this story, just that I knew I rather liked the author's previous fic and hoped for something good here, too. And, wow, it was. It's one of those stories that has insights about Wilson (and House's friendship with Wilson) that... I don't know if I would have thought of myself, but make so much sense when revealed in a conversation between House and Julie. The voices are perfect, even the body language of the story is fantastic, such that this is one of those stories I could see fitting together so easily with canon to flesh out the characters. Lovely fic again. (No warnings/pairings, really.)

- House - Patient, Impatient by Jayne Leitch - Another story that does justice to the House - Wilson friendship that I really do adore. Not long after House first gets sick, Wilson visits him in the hospital and it's a story that manages to find that balance between snark and something more painful that so often comes up in the show itself. It's the little moments in this story, the little touches of meaningful moments that you very nearly miss because they're not made a big deal of, that impressed me the most. Plus, the snark about how bad a patient Dr. House makes was much fun. (No warnings/pairings.)

- House - Lesser Expectations by Jayne Leitch - Wilson and Cameron interaction... not something I would have thought of myself, but while reading this story... it became one of those things where the image in my head was so vividly clear that it's almost impossible not to imagine that the show must be going there at some point. The entire interaction between the two characters was so natural and so pitch-perfect (swinging from snarky dialogue to that same something a bit more painful that the show does so very well, how everyone is damaged, but they don't always wear the details of it on their sleeves) that... just... I could see it. I believed it and it's one of those things that I could almost have confused for something that happened in the series itself. I adore authors who can do that. (Maybe a little Wilson/Cameron UST if you want to see it that way. I still call it gen.)

- House - Guess It's Just You And Me by moofoot - The beginning of this story starts out a little weird (especially with the unncessary swearing), but you get about 3/4ths of a page in and it starts being exactly what I would want from a fic with House and Cuddy stuck in an elevator for four hours. I appreciate that the author didn't try to stretch the fic out too far, but didn't skimp on the little details and funny moments, either. The interaction was perfect, both House and Cuddy got in their hits and snark, but without being too mean about it. Plus, the idea of Cuddy having a chihauhua inside that giant bag of hers? Shouldn't have worked, but ended up being brilliant. There were a ton of moments I loved in this story and I wish I could do a better rec of it because it was so entertaining. (Some House/Cuddy, but it could have easily been gen.)

Comments

[lazzchan.livejournal.com]

Kudos on finding that Saiyuki one (it was absolutely freakin' fabulous) and the Tsubasa one. Wow.... just.. *laughs* You truly find some awesome fics. ^_^

[tomomichi.livejournal.com]

Aww, it's nothing that deserves praise, really, I just read enough fic that I remember names of the authors I like. The Saiyuki one I originally stumbled over for her X fic, happened to see she wrote some Saiyuki fic and that was that. And Shi-Lin I'd read just about anything for, her Prince of Tennis fic is divine, so of course I had to read her TRC fic. ....not that I really needed to detail all that, I'm just sayin' I'm not really that good. *wry grin*

And, yes. I have such mad love for that Minutia, it was PERFECT. XD

[lazzchan.livejournal.com]

Oh, and another note. I have an AMV to rec to you. Since I saw that you do have a get backers section (and I, too adore Midou Ban...) I thought I'd point you towards this video. Absolutely funny and a must see. ^__^

http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members/members_videoinfo.php?vid_id=48307

[tanuki-dono.livejournal.com]

(blink) (blink) Ara? Thanks for the recommendation! (is a little shocked) I was just trying to find good fics to read--it was totally unexpected to see Illusory Tandem on here! (And yay--you spelled it correctly! So many refer to it as Illusionary Tandem instead of the correct Illusory Tandem! You get a cookie!) ^__^ And thanks for the kind words. Oh, and as for Sakurazukamori!Subaru--don't worry. He *will* develop, starting specifically in the upcoming chapter when he formally meets the 1990-version of Seishiro and Subaru. >=) Evil me. Thanks again!