I didn't realize this until like five seconds ago when I was reading your "Why Kid" page - we totally hit this series around the same time. For me, fusakugyoku would rave about the awesomeness inherent in the series, and so I picked it up summer of 2001. I didn't go fichunting until October or so, and I read Ysabet and Lady Orla and Krista Perry, too. Man! That's so weird!