Saiyuki Reload Blast - New Chapter

I'm not sure exactly what I make of Sharak Sanzo just yet. She's got distinctive cool-factor and appeal, yes, but at the same time...I don't know. A female Sanzo priest who's just as badass and unorthodox as Genjyo? Smokes, stomps down her subordinates when called for, steals Sanzo's spot riding shotgun in the Jeep? If I didn't know better, I'd think this was a Mary Sue fic. Hrm.

On the other hand, I've been tagging along on this crazy ride for 8+ years now, and I trust Minekura's characterization a lot. If anyone can take what appears at first glance to be a canon Sue and make it work, I imagine it would be her. Time will tell. I shall remain cautiously optimistic.

That aside, it's freaking awesome to have plot elements moving forward again and not centered around Ukoku. I know he'll still have to be dealt with before the story's over, but a break from him is very refreshing. Also, Sanzo-Sue or not, it's satisfying to get a little more background and pinned-down detail on the Sanzos, the sutras, who's left alive, which sutras are where, and the final word on what happened to the sutra from the Sand Trap arc way back in the beginning. I'd always wondered. I am surprised that Ukoku seems to be regarded as one of the official five, also; I'd had the impression all this time that he was rogue, that someone had replaced him at some point.

Completely unrelatedly, I hope Zakuro gets to show up sooner or later. ♥ And I hope it's not too long before we see the Kou-tachi again, either.

Holy crap, I have no Saiyuki icons on my DW acct. 15 is not enough. T_T

Saiyuki Reload Blast - New Chapter

I'm not sure exactly what I make of Sharak Sanzo just yet. She's got distinctive cool-factor and appeal, yes, but at the same time...I don't know. A female Sanzo priest who's just as badass and unorthodox as Genjyo? Smokes, stomps down her subordinates when called for, steals Sanzo's spot riding shotgun in the Jeep? If I didn't know better, I'd think this was a Mary Sue fic. Hrm.

On the other hand, I've been tagging along on this crazy ride for 8+ years now, and I trust Minekura's characterization a lot. If anyone can take what appears at first glance to be a canon Sue and make it work, I imagine it would be her. Time will tell. I shall remain cautiously optimistic.

That aside, it's freaking awesome to have plot elements moving forward again and not centered around Ukoku. I know he'll still have to be dealt with before the story's over, but a break from him is very refreshing. Also, Sanzo-Sue or not, it's satisfying to get a little more background and pinned-down detail on the Sanzos, the sutras, who's left alive, which sutras are where, and the final word on what happened to the sutra from the Sand Trap arc way back in the beginning. I'd always wondered. I am surprised that Ukoku seems to be regarded as one of the official five, also; I'd had the impression all this time that he was rogue, that someone had replaced him at some point.

Completely unrelatedly, I hope Zakuro gets to show up sooner or later. ♥ And I hope it's not too long before we see the Kou-tachi again, either.

[Fic] Ink (Gen; Sai)

Title: Ink
Author: TJ Dragonblade
Fandom: Naruto
Characters: Sai
Rated: General/11+
Word Count: ~1470
Notes: Originally from the prompt Sai resolves to get at least one tattoo on naruto_meme but mostly an excuse to develop some head-canon regarding Sai's techniques. It's not exactly a proper fic--I'm told it reads like a mission report had a threesome with a diary and the analytical portion of the mind--so...just...make of it what you will. It's Sai. ^_^; Many thanks to entitys for doing the beta thing, for calling me out on flawed logic, and for consulting on the re-direct. It's much appreciated. ^_^

Summary: Sai believes in always being prepared

Crossposted: chinpo_daily ~ chuunin
(On AO3) ~ (On ff.net)

( Worksafe )

[Fic] Ink (Gen; Sai)

Title: Ink
Author: TJ Dragonblade
Characters: Sai
Rated: General/11+
Word Count: ~1470
Notes: Originally from the prompt Sai resolves to get at least one tattoo on naruto_meme

Summary: Sai believes in always being prepared

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Worksafe: (On LJ) ~ (On AO3) ~ (On ff.net)