An interesting exploration of a more malignant version of Kyuubi's chakra.

I really like this quote at the beginning:

You know, I never thought- well, clearly, that's nothing new- but I never thought it would end like this.

Is it from the playwright you mentioned, and from what work, specifically?

That was so awfully sad.

hmm...i didnt' like the last two paragraphs; all walking away without looking back...but the rest of it was lovely.

I love this. I had actually predicted that I would be crying by the end five paragraphs in, but the atmosphere set for this fic turned out to be so peaceful and subtle that it just felt wrong to cry, so here I am, writing this review instead ^^.

The story was a job well done, I love all the interactions between the characters, it seems to be just how they would act if such a situation ever arose.

I like the ending as well, of Naruto's closest friends mourning in their own way. So.. forgive me if I'm wrong, but the names carved.. were Naruto's and Sasuke's?

PS. I wouldn't say no to a sequel or continuation either.

Awe, that was so sad!Poor Naruto!!

Squwe! Yes, yes, yes! Multi-chappie angst-fest PLEASE! PLEASe O H GODDAMNIT PLEASE PLEASE PLEAUSE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASEPLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASEPLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!1!1!1!1!11!

*sniff* that was so sad that I cried. Loved the story.

Wow. You know, despite the rather depressing overtone to this story and the fact that I can usually barely stand reading slow upsetting deaths, I liked this.
I loved your Naruto. He sounds just like I bet he would when he got older.
The Orochimaru interaction was by far the best part, in my opinion. Orochimaru as Sasuke... It's scary and I can see it, perfectly, the way you've written it. Their banter is hilarious in a bittersweet way. And- I must point this out- the Kabuto mention was the best thing you could've possibly done to this fic. It managed to throw me off completely, and I admire that. I've always found Kabuto and Orochimaru fascinating. I wonder if this is really where that's headed.
Great work.

I liked the fic until the ending, afther "Regardless, the funeral was well attended", afterwards, it droned at little and faded the perfect scene before. The Orochimaru in Sasuke visit was perfect, so instead of covering the funeral, which is not necessary, although I suppose it COULD be written good, you could end it right after the funeral was well attended, plus the next paragraph but shorten.

I think it is a given that his closest friends will mourn, but I think their mourning was already expressed well enough earlier, and the craving name part contrasted with the earlier Not Craved into Stone because of traditional thing.

Again, your most perfect scene was Orochimaru-Sasuke, not a line out of place there, from Orochimaru's fondness of Kabuto (or was it the other way around), to the parting revealation.

"He hadn't wanted to die like this, flat on his back in a hospital bed, too tired to move."

From the start, the bitter style of this story had me intrigued. Its intensity was especially focused for me on the deterioration of someone who represented strength and continuity in the series. It’s hard, I have to say, reading Naruto die so slowly.

The characters you wrote are very real to me. Their connection with Naruto and their own way of dealing with his illness had drawn me in rapidly. It was every painful to read and the ease in which I got so caught up in it surprised me. Each character presented a new turn for the story, where their interaction with Naruto played so much on *my* emotions that I had trouble deciding whether I should put myself through this angst.

But I did and would’ve wept if I weren’t so blissfully contented with your ending. The atmosphere you set for the fic was kept throughout, no trips, no falls, so much that I half hoped Sasuke would appear and make it all better.

(Kiss and make it better, Sasuke. Please.)

Orochimaru’s appearance in Sasuke’s body was the fantastic kick. Naruto was so much like himself, bantering with someone he wished was someone else. It was Orochimaru leaving Naruto with Sasuke’s last sentiments that struck me most I think. Naruto finally at peace was written wonderfully.

Nothing cliche, everything unexpected.

Thanks.

...Temari was the Kazekage? Isn't it Gaara? Also, "two names"? Was it Naruto/Kyuubi, or Uzumaki Naruto?

Anyway, good angst, a different perspective on how this manga could turn out.

That was sad. Lovely way of writing it, though--and yes, Orochimaru's a bastard who deserved to die. >.< Still, very nice fic. I was on the verge of tears. XD Write more, ne?

Wow. Despite your distaste for the ending, it is still a very well written fic.

Very touching. Your story and writing style go straight to the heart. I
t hurts and makes me strangely at peace with the Naruto fandom in the same way... Thank you for renewing my faith in fan writers.

It made me cry. I don't know if I'm especially susceptible today, but honest to god it made me cry. Wonderful short story. Very perceptive and thoughtful.