This actually almost made me cry. The relationship Ino has with her dad is a lot like the one I have with mine...when you said so bluntly that he had been dead for 2 years at the end, it was like getting hit with a sandbag. But, I sort of wish that you wrote more of Ino's letters...like the ones leading from her childhood to that final one...maybe to see how she had grown you know? But the fic was amazing anyway...a subtle, but strong writing style. That mission with that Kumo kunoichi must have been hell. And with Shikamaru being off with Temari (that kinda made me feel like I was kicked in the stomach...especially after having read Slow Burn) and Chouji being so involved with his family...I felt the loneliness. I felt Ino's loneliness...it hurt. Like a slow, empty ache...a phantom pain...I can understand how she needs to get her act together, but now I understand her running away. She's running away to the unfeelingness of being in ANBU (not surprising considering the torture she faced at the hands of that Kumo nin...) I hope she does get better...my heart aches for her...

Great story, short, but powerful. Stunning really...

Ino seemed vulnerable in this to me, though I can't exactly place why.

What an excellent twist at the end. Well done.

I wished it had been a little longer, with letters from her childhood, but it was still good.

Having her father be dead was not something I expected...

So good! (And I'm happy that Ino joined AMBU)

-Nari

Absolutely amazing and heartbreaking and lovely. You write Ino stunningly well.