My goodness.  You've certainly put a lot of effort into this story.  I love it when authors take their time and write long, in depth chapters so that their story really has a chance to unfold and develop along with the characters.  So first off, let me say, you really know how to write a love scene.  The interactions between Sesshoumaru and Kagome were intense and passionate.  The scene where they first kissed in his study was one of the best kissing scenes I've read.  I was so glad that you actually had them do it, instead of having some walk in and interrupt, or have Kagome get shy or skittish about it.  It always bugs me when perfect moment is ruined like that.  I'm a fan of letting passion build up, but when the moment's right, it shouldn't be spoiled.  So I think you hit a home run with this scene.  After things got so steamy in the hot springs, it was nice to have it culminate later on in that first kiss.  It was smart to build it up for that moment.

The only constructive criticism I have to offer would be that I feel like in the last several chapters, Kagome's reactions were a little out of place from what we know about her.  I think in some scenarios, she acted more foolish and delicate that what was realistically set up for her character, both from the canon version of her character and how you had previously written her.  For example, I feel that the letter she received perhaps should have explicitly stated the consequences of what would happen if she didn't show up for the secret meeting behind the hot springs.  Kagome isn't stupid.  She would have known it was a trap, not just a sacrifice on her part.  There would have had to have been a real, believable threat for her to risk it like that.  

It seems like you meant it to be as though she felt Sesshoumaru didn't return her feelings and wouldn't come after her if something should happen and thereby was only risking herself.  You also showed that line of thinking after she was kidnapped; having her state outright that Sesshoumaru wouldn't come for her. However, the way you had them behave towards one another doesn't give her any reason to have felt that way.  She experienced passion and compassion from him and I think she would have known that.  She may have not known to what degree, but I think she would have more faith in him than that.  I know that what because of what she'd been through, she would have been apt to doubt herself.  But Sesshoumaru hadn't done anything to her recently to exacerbate that doubt.  If anything, she had been healing, by evidence of her returning miko abilites.  That's why it feels like her behavior didn't jive with what was going on at the time.  In the beginning when he was all bravado about getting her out of his hair as soon as possible, then her belief would have made sense.  But I don't think it makes sense when their relationship had progressed as it had.  She defiantly would sacrifice herself for him.  But she'd do it to protect him and substitute her life for his, not because she thought he wouldn't come after her.  

That's why I think it would make it more realistic if the letter had given her good enough reason to pull off a stunt like meeting an enemy alone, rather than a misguided sense that no one would be hurt by her actions besides her.  For example, having it explicitly state that the assassins would come for Sesshoumaru again, or that they would send them after Rin or Shippo, or someone who couldn't defend themselves.   I think that would have been truer to her character.  She is a self-sacrificing, tenderhearted person, but she is also strong and smart.  She does often leap into situations blindly, but not because she's foolish, but because she has such strong faith in what's right.  It's what makes her character so likeable and why someone as previously cold as Sesshoumaru could not only fall in love with her compassion, but also admire and respect her.  As it is now, it makes her actions feel almost foolishly self-centered, rather than brave and self-sacrificing to protect her loved ones.  I believe your intent was good, but I think the execution could be fine-tuned.  If the circumstances were more dire and her motivation was better thought out, some of her displays before and during her kidnapping would make her seem less insipid (although the scenes wear where she defied Aion were wonderful.  I particularly loved that she bit his lip and spit in his face.  Atta girl Kagome!) 

On that point, I feel that after displaying her spirit so well, to have her be so dejected after her interactions with Aion...he would have had to do something worse than injuring her hand and feeling her up.  Don’t' get me wrong, I'm glad you didn't have him violate her.  I just think that perhaps you need to up the ante.  More verbal abuse, more blatant sexual threats, maybe even make him smack her around a bit more.  Something.  I mean, what you had was good; I just think it needs to be expanded on if she's going to be traumatized and catatonic when Sesshoumaru finally gets there.  I mean, she's been violently sick, broken hearted, on an emotional roller coaster, kidnapped and betrayed so no doubt, she's been through a lot.  But she survived.  I don't think she's so fragile that seeing a demon get killed before her eyes by Shurin (a friend) would push her over the edge.  She's been traveling the country side for years, killing demons herself, watching Inuyasha kill humanoid demons countless times, coming across massacred villages, and all other kind of horrors.  It's inconsistent to have her be squeamish about it now.  I think that all she's been through would defiantly have overtaxed her, but it would have taken more than what she'd that what Aion did to her and the little skirmish between Shurin and the enemy soldier to really push her over the edge like that.  I think he would have had to mess with her mind more to get her to that state.  Perhaps if he had threatened her with hurting Shurin, then her guilt of now having been the direct cause of not one, but now two friends horrible injury could have been enough to push her.  We needed to see more of his cruelty. 

Which brings me to my next point.  Aions unpleasant and all, but since it's never fully explained (at least not yet anyways) what he did to Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha, it's hard to be truly horrified of what he's capable of when all we have are vague notions about his character.  His brief interaction with Kagome and the fact that he's violated women in the past give us an idea, but as of right now, it's unclear as to who he is.  Is he really a disgusting creature who derives pleasure out of torturing others, or is he merciless because he lost a beloved sibling and was excommunicated from his land?  Is he a one dimensional villain who simply wants to inflict pain on others, or does he have layers and motives for making him so detestable?  Or is it some combination of the two?  More description of what he's done both in the past and in the present will make it easier to understand.  Right now I can't really make him out.  Of course, I'm also aware that the story isn't finished yet (it isn't even clear if he's dead or alive) so I'm understanding to the fact that he may be expanded upon later.

Other than that, don't forget to tie up the situation with Kaizon, Cheiro and the Inu Tachi.  I also hope you explain whether Kagome's powers really were spazzing out because of being heartbroken and sick, or if it was because Chiero had done something to interfere with her powers.  It seems like you're alluding to it having been something that Cheiro did, but it's not totally clear to me.

One last thing.  I thought Akito and Kagome's reunion after her waking up was a little off.  It seemed like relief that he was alive and remorse at having injured him would have been the prevailing emotions she would have felt after seeing that she hadn't killed him.  Worrying about if he would hate her or not should have come in waaay second.  I guess I expected something more along the lines of "I'm so, so sorry Akito!  I thought I had killed you!  Thank Kami you're alive."  And then have her sorrowfully ask for his forgiveness in teary-eyed remorse.  Then of course he would forgive her and tell her it wasn't her fault for which she could then feel relief that he didn't hate her.  That's the reaction I was expecting.  Of course she would have been relieved that he didn't hate her, but it just seemed that the latter was more pronounced than her relief that he was alive.  It's a subtle nuance, but a palpable one.  It was like she was more interested in having her conscious soothed than having him be alive and well.  I guess having the fox be the one who had to coax her and be the one explaining himself just felt off after she was the one who had fried him.  I just think that her need to apologize would have overridden everything else, but she doesn't once say she's sorry for hurting him in that whole scene..  I think just throwing in a heartfelt apology from her would change it for the better.  I did think that when you showed that he bore her no ill will, you wrote her reaction well.  How she threw herself on him and cried in relief.  Good job :)  I know I'm nip-picking, but you made me fall in love with Akito so I want him to be treated right.  He is definitely not the type who would hold what she did against her.  His devotion once given isn't easily swayed and he would know it was an accident.  But that doesn't mean Kagome shouldn't have to do a bit of groveling, dammit <_< Not because he demanded it, of course, but her own conscious should have compelled her to do it.  She was really fricken stupid!      

Anyways, I don't what you to think that this review is all criticism.  I really thought you did an excellent job.  That' why I'm leaving you such a monster review in the first place.  It's because I think it has the potential to be epic and I want you to keep writing.  There's so much good stuff in there as it is.  I know that me asking you to go back and add to a story that's already 50 chapters long probably seems ludicrous.  However, I really feel that if you think about what I said, it would bring your writing to new heights.  You accomplished a lot.  I really admire you for it.  So keep writing.  Let your characters grow, but keep their behavior consistent with the circumstances, both past and present, which helped shape their behavior.  I think if you do this, you'll truly have a masterpiece on your hands. 

Well, you probably hate me for writing such a long-winded review, but please take encouragement that someone cared enough about your story to spend 2 hours analyzing it and appreciating it.  I hope you keep writing.  Good luck to you and keep up the good work!  

I just wanted to welcome you back after so long! I (and many others still out there) have been waiting for nearly a year (i think?) for this to be updated. How evil of you to leave it where Kagome got kidnapped! I nearly died when I realized this was on hiatus after that chapter XD I'm glad I took a chance and looked up to see if there was a possibility you updated and found an awesome surprise! 4 new chapters!

Honestly, this has probably been one of the most in-depth character development stories I've seen. All the small details and carefully planning really does make the reader's emotion flow the in the direction you want and I am completely captured in this story! I really love how you don't make everything too fairytale, life isn't easy and problems don't get solved instantly and without someone getting hurt.

Once again, this is my "welcome back!!" to you ^__^

I love it.

Its good to read it again.

Thanks for the update.

Simply marvelous... I am not even sure I stopped reading for like 3 days on this story. It's fantastic. I can not wait to see what happens when she wakes up.

Thanks for the great fic.
Hugs
Alpine ^_^

Oo...  I really like this story.  Especially your portrayal of Sesshoumaru and Kagome.  :D  So it seems Sesshoumaru marked her as his mate in order to save her?  Well, I'm pretty sure Kagome will have no protests...  I wanna see a happy ending soon.  :)  Keep up the great work!  Can't wait until the next one!

--nao-chan

I've thoroughly enjoyed this story (so far and I believe that will continue)! I tried to read this once before and I could not get into it... I can't remember why. I am glad that I persevered this time because it is excellent! I LOVED the slow build-up of a relationship between Sesshoumaru and Kagome, although I bet it would have been a wee bit frustrating if I had had to wait for updates. Thank you for writing and I look forward to the conclusion.

Wow! This is an amazing story! It took me 3 days to read it, but every minute was worth it! Congratulations on your many wins in the 3rd quarter awards by the way! You definitely earned them :)

I hope you get to update soon, I am so curious about "the changes"! Great chapter....auhhhh heck, what am I saying GREAT FIC!

Everytime I read this story, it just takes my breath away with how good it is. I have printed it out and it is nearly 400 pages of 8pt print and I've read it 3 or 4 times. This is one of the classics of fandom and I look forward to reading the next chapter.