I usually hate OC's, really I do, but Utashin... he's got a special place in my heart now, seriously. Your characterization of Shikamaru was amazing, I must say. You captured his personality really well with your lines. "They do not displease me, but they do not please me either." I really can imagine him saying that.

I can't believe how you managed to make it so realistic, so amazingly believable. I could see everything with your descriptions, feel the heat of their emotions... wow.

This is a wonderful one-shot!

Hi Animeaddict6 kiss kiss

poor Shikamaru

but i like the insight into his charecter he usualy is portrayed as a comic relif or back up charecter in most fics

the knowlege that Utashin showed was interesting but quite correct

well done

sorry I havent reviewed in a while but i have been away
and i plan to remedy my oversight by reading the rest of your storys today

[smile]

May the darkness Protect you and the light Bless you

May hope step with you

and may peace be your companion

your friend Belle M

aw. (:
I usually hate reading stories with original characters or things with flashbacks, but this is DEFINITELY an exception. It had a melancholy tone to it that somehow fit really well with the story.
Butt, I do need some things to be cleared up, so if you can, can I have a brief summary??
Thanks. :]

A great story. I'm not a fan of yaoi given how much of it is written (by girls, for one) in a modern-day context that is so out-of-character and sex-centred it's awful. I was looking tonight, for something more profound than the popular written fanfic romance and was delighted to find myself so riveted and moved by this. It has a dual, paradox of feeling I quite like. It's both a melancholy and briefly uplifting look into the life of Kishimoto's ninja. I like the concept of a discontent seeking temporary gratification who finds instead a few months' unspoken happiness. I like how you wrote it and I especially loved the affirmation in the end. Two thumbs, I'd say.

You know, I was all settling in for a big night of fanfic, and you've completely wrecked it for me, because I know that nothing I read after this will be half as good.

There was nothing about this story that I should not have hated. I don't mind gay pairings, but I do hate original character pairings and non-canonical pairings. I hate stories that jump back and forth in timelines. I hate stories that have interruptions, such as footnotes. And I'm not such a big fan of stories under ten thousand words either.

And damn you, you have shattered all of my preconceptions, because I loved every second of it. This was so lovely, and so moving. You're an amazing writer.

Truly an amazing story. I don't usually like original characters, but your "Utashin" was exquisite. I wish there was more to read.

Fascinating story! I sort of skimmed past the more intensely homosexual* parts, because I'm not afraid to admit that stuff squicks me out sometimes-particularly when it's well written-but I enjoyed your characterization of Shikamaru. He certainly strikes me as the sort who could, upon arriving at a brothel and being offered up a man instead of a woman, eventually shrug his proverbial shoulders and say, "What the hell?" Hehe

I also enjoyed how tense and stressed he was-why he sought out such an unexpected release in the first place. That's hinted at in the manga, how his cares are really beginning to weigh him down. He's got more than any other character's 'normal guy' stress in his life, I think-he recognizes how dangerous their lives are, he's got some measure of responsibility, and now he's even helping care for a kid. Poor bum!

One thing I thought was a bit strange: the owner of the brothel's way of speaking to Shikamaru at the end. Here's the thing: I think even the (somewhat) apathetic Shikamaru would react badly to that sort of mockery, especially in light of her knowing about the disease and paying less for her 'employee' in spite of it. I think Shikamaru might even react badly or even murderously, or at the very least violently.

I just imagine that there are some people who will utter deep personal insults to shinobi, and some who won't, and that woman would seem like someone who would know better, that's all.

*I've read stories of homosexual relationships, and if they're well written they don't bother me so much. It's when things become more physically intimate and overtly romantic that it becomes a bit squicky for me.

-HUMPS YOU!-

aww darling of course i shall inflat your ego!
I especially loved how you worked from the past to the present

-super naruto glomp-!!

damnit bring Utashin!!
I usually HATE reading new chars
but damnit i liked him so much

-sniffle-

great story! -glomp-

Oh...! That was so sad... What a wonderful story. T_T *sob*

I love your use of actual Japanese culturally relevant terms and ideas, and how they were used. Unfortunately, by the end of it, you had me so wrapped up in Utashin's character that I had half forgotten his likeness to Temari and was going all romantic on the new pairing. *shakes fist* damn the angst...so good...!

Anyway, didn't see the ending coming a mile a way, a great fic, but would have loved to see more of the OC!! Thanks for sharing your genius.

Very interesting!

sorry am a little slow ..
was temari reminding himabout the sexy dude
or was it the other way around ??