Just want to say that I usually only like slightly more canon stories that are set in that same universe. I started skimming the first few chapters thinking I wasn't going to enjoy this and didn't want to waste my time on a long borefest. Somewhere around chapter 2 or 3, I actually got into the story and went back and started it from the beginning.
I like how you developed the characters. Skimping on universe details for fleshing out the characters was a good move. We can fill in the background space as we each see fit, but we were able to feel connect to the characters who seemed 3d and whole. However, I don't feel like you left out much from the universe. It only seems like you skimped just a tad on the training or the 'ki weapons'; but, it wasn't necessarily a bad thing as I mentioned earlier.
Back to the characters: I think what I tend to dislike so much is how out of character everyone, usually Sasuke, is. Some might try and claim Sasuke is still out of character in this story, but that's only if we're trying to follow canon. I think this is the Sasuke we would know if his parents were alive and he had grown up in a relatively supportive environment. He is still harsh, cold, and rather indifferent due to the pressure put upon him by his family and himself. Actually, Naruto seems to be the one given the short end of the stick if you will because while everyone else has been given a boost in 'environmental happiness', he is still an orphan hiding his loneliness under his optimistic, jovial bravado.
I suppose I was turned off from AU stories because the poorly written OOC monstrosities had taken their toll. Your lovely written story has reopen my considerations for them. :)

Wonderful stuff, well developed and heart warming. Thank you for this.

Nice story!

Omg thank you for writing this story it was amazing and I absolutely love your writing style! I hope your contine to write awesome stories like this!

love your story.

Definitely one of the better Naruto high school fic I've read..it left me wanting for more, couldn't stop reading it even..thank you!

I love this story!

i can't believe it's over ;(

Simply... thank you.

amazing

I think I'm in love! This was the most original, creative, wickedly awesome story I've read so far on fanfiction! I could just read this again and again and again*Ten hours later*AND AGAIN! It was like watching a movie. I fell in love with this story as soon as I read Naruto smoking. The characters interacting with each other was so realistic, it made me want to join Naruto and Sasuke's group. And Juugo is such a sweatheart, I just wanna huge him! I loved each and everyone of the characters in this story, even the baddies ;). During the matching I felt like a fan in the crowd, I freaked myself out, during the last match. I was just so into it. Gaara was sweet too, for what he did. Gosh, I just can't get enough of this story. I think I'm gonna go back and review each and everyone. Oh, oh, and Sai and ?(don't wanna spoil the story)that was a shocker!

CHOW

Awesome story!:)

The end was so sweet! I really loved this fic, though I thought it would be a canonverse story from the summary. I really liked the fight tournament, though I wish wed seen more of Gaara. I love the final fights, really dramatic.

"This is for Naruto, motherfucker."

SO. MUCH. EPICNESS!

I literally squealed in excitement and actually went "GO SASUKE!" when I read that shit. I was like oh yeah bitches! Sasuke my bro! Tears of JOY from how awesome that scene was (is) almost fell from my eyes.

Words cannot express how EPIC that was. I'm FOAMING at the mouth from all the excitement.

I just finished this story and totally loved it! nice work