I'm so glad I found you. You might think it strange at first, but it's not. Really. I am making my way down your list of posted stories, and you have yet to disappoint! You're surprisingly refreshing in the same cliched way that calling something "cliched" or "refreshing" is.

This story, in particular, was brilliant. Thanks for curing my thoughts that FFN is only filled with swill.

i cannot believe i haven't reviewed yet. this is my fourth time reading this in the past 2 months and it still manages to make me cry.

beautifully written, poetic, and skillfully constructed. also very original. Minato's so disgustingly human its almost frightening.

Also, the balance between the poetic and analytical side of the story is perfect. it was a bit confusing the first read, but the more time I take reading, the more there is to understand.

thank you for the amazing read. there is so much unwritten emotion in theses short 4,0 words, I'm in complete awe and have no idea what to think (other then the fact that you're a brilliant writer)

I aim to be able to write as well as you one day. (hope you don't mind that I start by trying to copy one of the many styles you've displayed here) :D

I could have sworn I reviewed this before but, well, that doesn't really matter. Great job with the format. You also really manage to portray Minato's character and past very excellently.

One for sorrow- The humanity inherent in this story makes it a tragi-comedic masterstroke.

two for joy- The fact that such talent exists

three for a marriage- yours, because she is so unbeleivably lucky

four for a birth- The birth of this idea, the hope, love and failiure of it

five for silver- because living without love is always setting for the silver

six for gold- which everything i've read theat you've written is.

seven for sickness- sickness and mental trauma, the hurt and pain and love and life

eight for dying-dying and death [because you can die before your heart stops beating]

nine for passion- Passion and trembling fingers and whispers in the night [all such things that never were and never will be]

ten for paid debts- and for debts that won't/shouldn't/cant be paid

eleven for a secret that will never be told-secrets that shouldn't have been kept at all because love and hope are things to be shared

twelve for questions answered-even the ones that remain unasked.

- - - - - - - - -

In case it's nt obvious, I loved this fic. Kakashi is like a bulldog with asomething in it's teeth. he just won't let go, will he? but we don't want him to, because he's right, finally. someone is right about minato and he won't admit it.

I hate you. Seriously. Why so saddening? I really like the way that you expose the inner thoughts of the characters, and how on the surface, they are happy, but when you write it, it makes them sound like a bad person. Gah! I mean this in s good way! Like... Edgar Allen Poe! You're a dark writer, he's a dark writer, it's like you both have a dark writing connection!

But, yes, Minato is someone who is very interesting and Kakashi is so... himself. And I like the flow of this story. Yes indeedy I do.

So unbearably human.. oh god, I can't find the right words to express what I'm feeling right now. That was beyond magnificent. I was already on the verge of tears when Jiraiya was stopped by Kakashi before he left, and saying what he said, how he was so SICK of tragedies and lovers not being together and everything. God, it was so painful. Also, how Minato never told anyone, not even Kakashi the truth about his past. How the last eight months of his life was spent, not talking to the one person he loved. How they freaking thought they were high not knowing all they drank was tea with a stale Sweet Tart and said all those heartbreakingly sweet and funny (Flame of Youth? Are you bloody kidding me?) things. How the only time they kissed was in Minato's dream. Oh GOD. I feel like crying. For them. What a heartwrenching story. Damnit, there was only one or two bittersweet moments. The rest made me want to WAIL. The scenes are still playing in my head. It's definitely going to take me some time to get over this story. Maybe I don't want to. It was too painfully good. So painfully life. Definitely one of the best fanfictions ever. I truly thank you for sharing this ultimate masterpiece.

First, god, let me say I'm sorry it took so long to read this. I've been sick, today's my first day feeling better.

And then, let me say it wasn't even...I shouldn't have...I cried. Not out of sadness, but...you've created a wonderful portrait of him, a very human, very believable portrait, and I've decided it's the desperation in your writing that makes me fall apart. Kills me and just keeps stabbing after the killing stroke, heh.

It's a beautiful piece. And makes me wonder what the hell I'm doing thinking I can write. And maybe that's a little behind the tears, as well, the realization that no matter how good I am, someone's always that much better. This might be illness talking, don't feel the urge to reassure me or feel bad, please, it's nothing. It will pass, and I don't need you to feel like I'm begging for praise. It's just that sometimes it becomes more apparent than others.

I adore the parallel between Jiraiya and Tsunade and Min and Kakashi in the first part, all the little details you wove throughout, the ANBU observations, backstory we learn slowly.

It's a lovely piece and I'll stop rambling at you now. It's left me numbly processing. Thank you. THANK YOU.

i love you, really, you're too good of a writer. start writing books, i will buy. please

How do you do it? How are you so amazing?
I really, really like this, and the feeling I got reading it... I'm sure I won't get it out of me till I sleep...
Your writing is masterly, really, and this fic was just wonderful, but very sad. Sad is good.
I'll be waiting for more of yours ^^

This drew me in completely. Human and heartbreaking and sad. The folk rhyme is used to very good effect. You really get to the depths of Minato's character and it works incredibly. I enjoyed this fic from beginning to end. I like how unexpected things came to light and all the details that emerged. His parents, his sister, his daughter... how he didn't bond with Naruto. How he never acted on his feelings and the one time it seemed like he might have done, it was a dream. The dead sunflowers were a telling and wonderful touch. I'm grateful to have read such a good piece of writing - thank you for sharing it!

That was one of the most amazing character studies I've ever read! And for the Yondaime, nonetheless!

Very interesting oneshot. I like your take on Minato that was a neat way to look at his backstory and I really liked the liason with Tsume! Thank you for sharing :)

Oddly. that was really really interesting. Its a nice look into Minato's life, and somehow. it fits him very well ^^

I like how you used the Counting Crows/Magpies. It was an interesting thing to write about, and I have to wonder who it was that he loved.

Bucky.