:D

Just wondering, do you plan to port these most recent fics to ao3 like the others? Love your work.

It’s me again, said I wasn’t allowed to review chapters that I’ve already reviewed, so I had to log out.

I must be a masochist to keep coming back here to torture my soul, my mind, my emotions and my body that ends up stiff and aching from sitting in my focused concentrated position for too long. It’s the best kind of torture and I will take this punishment for as long as I can see words, imagine things and comprehend them.

It’s like music. You can’t just listen to certain songs for entertainment. Or just appreciate the artists talents. You need to hear the lyrics, understand a message find a meaning and then it becomes more than entertainment, it’s beautiful, it’s more enjoyable and will bring out those feelings every time. Like these stories. Bringing new thoughts perspectives and emotions outside of just being entertaining. Which is why I keep coming back. Obviously I love these characters and more so these characters in this world so meticulously crafted that it feels real. Are you a witch? Am I under the writers spell lol. If so I hope it never breaks.

A lot of things I don’t remember because my vice has always been going back to the beginning and rereading Break to Breathe. Two years ago I made it through Requiem and ended up stopping the series because of life, boo, not because I didn’t want to keep reading. That said most of what I read during UTS was new to me or taking time to jolt my memories which made the world feel new and exciting all over again. I’ve said it before and I’m going to repeat this like a broken record, it’s a testament to writing skill, high levels of creativity and imagination that exceed my readers expectations.

Regardless of how many zillions of spins the hands move on a clock, or how many times the earth rotates, or the suns and moons dance around signifying time passing, these stories always exceed my levels of entertainment and bring out so many different emotions and thoughts. And every time I think there’s nothing left to say I end up here spilling my thoughts and feelings anyway.

Story praise over, I’m going to try and condense my thoughts and hopefully they make sense because instead of going chapter by chapter reviewing I decided to just save it for when I finished the story- which was literally 3 days ago. So bear with me and I apologize if this review makes no sense or makes your head spin.

That Kiba was such a pain in the ass around Neji I just wanted him to get gentle fisted in the face everytime he opened his mouth. But then there’s Kiba around the others and I love him, funny, annoying but a little sweet in his aggressive stupidity. I’m still blown away by the manifesting of the Kiba/Ino relationship that in actual Naruto world never made sense or even hinted at any possibility of that pair happening. But you made them come together in an interesting cat and dog way that wasn’t typical, a little predictable, but still new and unique.

Each having their own personal childhood trauma and using it to keep their distance but ultimately got them closer to understanding each other’s behaviors. Beyond the deeper moments they shared the whole push and pull denial of feelings interaction was just so cute. And I’m not using cute as a downplay word I’m saying it as an elevated cuteness that I loved witnessing between them.

Shikamaru and Neji on the boat during a mission to Kussgakure and out of nowhere Shikamaru is being threatened by his emotions to give in and mourn Asuma and let himself feel that pain. And he stops Neji from leaving calling out for a lifeline that Neji instantly responds to, ugh my heart was giddy. It was so beautiful especially considering the serious business talk they’d just had about how this is only about the mission. That’s always been part of the magic between them. They could be in the middle or end of a big fight but at anytime one would need the other or reach out all the walls were down.

The scene with Kurenai and Kakashi at Asuma’s grave site. I was in tears the minute Asuma was mentioned and they never stopped flowing until the moment was over. It was so beautifully done, Kakashi’s inner monologue and Kurenai’s sad strength, the break and repair both their hearts and minds went through. I don’t remember how I felt or reacted the first time I read this but this time I felt it as if I were feeling my own feelings. I love that the story isn’t just a good read but it’s a transportation into the characters in every aspect of their lives, thoughts and feelings. Which kinda sucks for me because I’m in there 1000% but I wouldn’t want it any other way.

I hate how Inoichi stole a private viewing moment from Naoki’s comatose mind. It’s like a parent reading your diary without permission. The anger Naoki felt finding Inoichi still invading his mind was beyond valid. I was angry, I know he wanted answers but how dare he?!

I’ve said it before you’ve created likeable characters that aren’t original to the Narutoverse and for someone like me, that struggles to like some of the characters in Kishimoto’s series, that’s a huge feet and I’m applauding you again for the accomplishment. Naoki being one of those characters. I want to say I was on the fence with Naoki before but this time around I fell in love with him more whereas before he was just the new guy and an original character written very well but this time I loved him as a part of the whole story. I loved him as a person and noticed just how deeply intwined he was with the main characters. His presence made it work so beautifully. I was so sad for him and his tragic life and his different types of love and devotion towards different people. I balled my eyes out over him.

Genma however kinda got on my nerves this reread. I still love him, completely understand his reasons for being a dick and his self loathing self destructive attitude but my new perspective from years passing has made me see him in a different way and it wasn’t always pleasant. I know for a fact that I gushed over him the first time I read UTS but now he just pissed me off.

I think I had a reversal about Kakashi as well. I found him extra endearing for my second read. Everything he did for Genma and all the thoughts he had about Asuma. I loved how present Asuma was throughout this story. He was there without truly being there.

Even Mizugumo, who I didn’t care for has grown on me now. One of my favorite narrations was towards the end. Genma had just dropped off the regenerating lizard man for Mizugumo to experiment on. She tapped into that chakra and began to show signs of youth. The narration was “Winter falling back into autumn” I might be off with wording but that was one of many brilliantly written lines. I wish could go through and pick them all out just to share how much they moved me but I’d be here all day and night.

Quick notes because I’m getting long winded. The breaking points that Shikamaru had with Neji and with his dad after all the ugly truths of Shuken (gagging ugh I hated him) came out- my god I broke down.

I lived for every second of Shikamaru and Neji together in every way good and bad. I’m not even gonna go into detail because I’d never stop. But this must be said- every time a line was repeated from a previous story it killed me in the best life bringing way possible. I love things like that and one of my favorites will always be “Stealing my lines again Hyuga.” I just love them as characters but more so as the characters you’ve turned them into. The way Neji fought so hard to literally die for Shikamaru and Shikamaru’s reaction to that! It was all too much, too good and exactly what I needed it to be.

All the characters were written so beautifully and perfectly in place. Ibiki, Dr. Mushi, Katsu, all the Nagu guardians. Tsunade, the council. Even the monsters aka Shuken and his freaky minions. Way to make the most disgusting vile bad guy in a story. My hat is off to you.

That epilogue, if I could add emojis there’d be a stream of hearts on this review. Not only did it nicely clean up the loose ends but it created a beautiful movie reel of the entire story. I didn’t remember how UTS wrapped up and I fell in love with the story, with this world all over again at the end. Not that I ever fell out of love. The ending solidified all the feelings I had while reading. I didn’t want it to end but it was done so heartwarmingly right without being so sweet that it was nauseating. For lack of a better word it was perfect.

Shikamaru finally making it to Asuma’s grave all the while being distracted by the person who helped him reach a point where he could go visit his sensei again, it was perfect.

But the very ending when Shikamaru finally confessed his feelings about Neji to Asuma and Neji just appears out of nowhere- it did me in. The conversation, the contact, the ease of the feelings, the touches I was grinning like an idiot. I could feel that love and I was stupid happy and that kept me from feeling sad that it was over.

I’ve been in tears during this entire reread I’m surprised my eyes haven’t been washed out of my head. I remember very little of this story because I’ve only read it once- because I’m a slave to the first installment so most of this was new and even the small moments I remembered still felt fresh and different.

Now how dare you drag me back into the mayhem so soon after I just got out? I’m still recovering from what was probably the most emotionally charged installment in the series. As soon as I finished I felt cold and empty but filled and warm at the same time, ready to start it all over again moving on to Heaven Hold Us. I know being a writer is hard and that’s the simplest way I can express it. So thank you for whatever giant waves you had to ride and sharp jagged rocks you had to crash into to make this happen. This series is my unbreakable hourglass filled with all the joys and pains and entertainment that make me the definition of happy. When the sand runs out I’ll just turn it over again and again and again.

Shikaneji remind me of the song Iris

I don't think I'll ever be able to find a fanfiction written as well as this one. I am going to be chasing this high for a LONG time. Honestly this series is better than a lot of actual books I've read. My absolute favorite is the way you write character interactions so flawlessly! My favorite moments ended up being Ino/Shika/Cho just hanging out or Kakashi/Genma/Asuma shooting the shit at the bar. The witty lines like "holy shit on a dango stick" make my day. The way you make them interact so in character amazes me. Did Ino and Kiba even talk in cannon? bc I think this ship makes more sense than her and Sai. Crack pairings come FLAWLESSLY to you and I absolutely love it. Then you make OC characters and they fit in so perfectly you can't even remember if they were cannon or not. Making me sad that Genma is leaving his drug dealer LOL. Don't even get me started on the lemons, 10/10 hottest smut I've ever read. You don't even make it feel raunchy! All in all, I don't know how you gave us such a perfectly rounded story and gave it to us for FREE. Genuinely thank you.

"A moment, that's all it ever takes." AHHHHH goose bumps immediately after reading that

Shikamaru reminds me of the vampire diaries when they turn off their humanity. Is it bad of me to enjoy him calling everyone out on their shit so bluntly? lol Also the line where Ino says of course he doesnt want a weed. MY HEART.

Did I ever think I'd be reading Genma Kakashi smut? No. Did I love it? Yes. You continue to amaze me with how well you write lemons. It isn't raunchy but full of passion and primal need.

Love seeing Ino and Kiba tension right out the gate

Sorry! Just realized my review got posted as a guest review
OMG I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S OVER!
This has been such an intense, crazy, heart breaking, funny and moving ride! Holy gods what the hell am I going to read now (this again obviously lol. Or book 5…)
Standing ovation to you, the authorYour writing is an ABSOLUTE joy to read (even if the content itself wasn’t always so happy lol). The intensity, the character depth, the characterizations, your writing style, your humor (LOVED your humor!), your range of emotions, your character interactions, your PLOT, your folding in of canon and non-canon, your storytelling….I could go on and expound on these, but the Cliff Notes version is; I loved this series and your writing This may now be my favorite fan fiction series ever. And I wasn’t even sure I was a ShikaNegi fan when I started lol. (Rest assured, I am now.)
Oh man, so many things to say and ask you now! And I know that stories don’t always end in neat bows, but there are a few questions scattered throughout the next few paragraphs that hopefully you can answer
First; I really liked that you made Sarutobi Hiruzen not a perfect person. The more I read the manga or watched the show, the more I realized he made a LOT of questionable decisions in his time. I mean seriously, in what universe was what he did to Naruto(just one example) ever a good idea? Where was the harm in telling the kid who his parents were or at least telling the villagers so they didn’t hate him? That was a HUGE risk he took in alienating such a powerful ninja. Or how he left orphan children to live alone without any adult assistance? Just a lot of things I wondered about, but still he was viewed in a positive light by many of the older shinobi and I liked that you showed both those views of him.
Second; PTSD. This has got to be a huge problem in a ninja village and I liked that you didn’t hide from this issue. You truly delved into the grit and gore and suffering of these amazing people who sacrifice so much but are then told to wrestle their resulting demons somewhere out of sight.
Third; Ino. Omgods I loved how you portrayed her here I was not a fan of her manga/anime version, but I loved her here! You gave her so much more depth! Made her an actual person, with relatable problems and feelings and issues, rather then just the designated pretty girl on Team 10. (Same with Tenten! Thank you!) I saw a lot of myself in your characterization of Ino and I just want to say thank you for writing her with such dedication and care. I didn’t think I’d end up liking her scenes but I did, and that’s all thanks to your writing. Because through your writing I was able to put myself in her shoes and connect with her in a way I was not expecting. Thank you
Fourth; what is Mizugomo’s story!? Holy crow I loved her character! And her interactions, Insights and humor with Genma and Kakashi were amazing
Fifth; very much a fan of how you tried to end and start a lot of your line breaks/changes in POV with the same words or concepts It was a neat trick that I got a fun kick out of every time I read it
Sixth; your understanding and use of the Japanese language in this story was lovely Are you fluent?
Seventh; I do not remember if this gets answered in the manga/anime, but how did Karibi die? I’m assuming she died before Naoki “died” at 19, since he knew she had died. Did they both die on the same mission? And if so, WTF NAOKI! You left your lover and teammate to deal with both your deaths on his own!? Knowing the type of person he was!? And even if they died on separate missions they couldn’t have been that far apart judging by their ages in Genma and Naoki’s memories! Like seriously, WTF NAOKI!? How bad of a fucking friend can you be pulling shit like that on your best friend/lover/ comrade/subordinate/partner! I’m surprised that with their deaths so close together, that Genma even made it to the Tanzaku incident.
Sorry I don’t mean to flame Naoki, I actually found him a very compelling character and liked how he seemed to impact and impart different things to different characters. This just really bugged me because he knew Genma- cared for and about him!- and that is not the kind of stab-in-the-back or flat-out- abandonment-in-a-time-of-need that any good friend, partner, commander, comrade or lover should do. Sorry, had to get that off my chest
Lastly; I LOVED how you had everything come full circle at the end It always impresses me when authors are able to reintegrate events or thoughts or points from the beginning of a story, into the end. And you did it masterfully️
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WRITING THIS AMAZING SERIES! Your hard work, time and dedication are EXTREMELY appreciated!️️
I hope things are going well for you and that you and yours are staying healthy I’m keeping an eye out for any books by T.A Rayne Hope your Original Works are going well!
And of course, I’m keeping an eye out for anymore of your fan fiction work (here and ao3)
All the best, and thank you again for giving us this fantastic story.

OMG I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S OVER!
This has been such an intense, crazy, heart breaking, funny and moving ride! Holy gods what the hell am I going to read now (this again obviously lol. Or book 5…)
Standing ovation to you, the authorYour writing is an ABSOLUTE joy to read (even if the content itself wasn’t always so happy lol). The intensity, the character depth, the characterizations, your writing style, your humor (LOVED your humor!), your range of emotions, your character interactions, your PLOT, your folding in of canon and non-canon, your storytelling….I could go on and expound on these, but the Cliff Notes version is; I loved this series and your writing This may now be my favorite fan fiction series ever. And I wasn’t even sure I was a ShikaNegi fan when I started lol. (Rest assured, I am now.)
Oh man, so many things to say and ask you now! And I know that stories don’t always end in neat bows, but there are a few questions scattered throughout the next few paragraphs that hopefully you can answer
First; I really liked that you made Sarutobi Hiruzen not a perfect person. The more I read the manga or watched the show, the more I realized he made a LOT of questionable decisions in his time. I mean seriously, in what universe was what he did to Naruto(just one example) ever a good idea? Where was the harm in telling the kid who his parents were or at least telling the villagers so they didn’t hate him? That was a HUGE risk he took in alienating such a powerful ninja. Or how he left orphan children to live alone without any adult assistance? Just a lot of things I wondered about, but still he was viewed in a positive light by many of the older shinobi and I liked that you showed both those views of him.
Second; PTSD. This has got to be a huge problem in a ninja village and I liked that you didn’t hide from this issue. You truly delved into the grit and gore and suffering of these amazing people who sacrifice so much but are then told to wrestle their resulting demons somewhere out of sight.
Third; Ino. Omgods I loved how you portrayed her here I was not a fan of her manga/anime version, but I loved her here! You gave her so much more depth! Made her an actual person, with relatable problems and feelings and issues, rather then just the designated pretty girl on Team 10. (Same with Tenten! Thank you!) I saw a lot of myself in your characterization of Ino and I just want to say thank you for writing her with such dedication and care. I didn’t think I’d end up liking her scenes but I did, and that’s all thanks to your writing. Because through your writing I was able to put myself in her shoes and connect with her in a way I was not expecting. Thank you
Fourth; what is Mizugomo’s story!? Holy crow I loved her character! And her interactions, Insights and humor with Genma and Kakashi were amazing
Fifth; very much a fan of how you tried to end and start a lot of your line breaks/changes in POV with the same words or concepts It was a neat trick that I got a fun kick out of every time I read it
Sixth; your understanding and use of the Japanese language in this story was lovely Are you fluent?
Seventh; I do not remember if this gets answered in the manga/anime, but how did Karibi die? I’m assuming she died before Naoki “died” at 19, since he knew she had died. Did they both die on the same mission? And if so, WTF NAOKI! You left your lover and teammate to deal with both your deaths on his own!? Knowing the type of person he was!? And even if they died on separate missions they couldn’t have been that far apart judging by their ages in Genma and Naoki’s memories! Like seriously, WTF NAOKI!? How bad of a fucking friend can you be pulling shit like that on your best friend/lover/ comrade/subordinate/partner! I’m surprised that with their deaths so close together, that Genma even made it to the Tanzaku incident.
Sorry I don’t mean to flame Naoki, I actually found him a very compelling character and liked how he seemed to impact and impart different things to different characters. This just really bugged me because he knew Genma- cared for and about him!- and that is not the kind of stab-in-the-back or flat-out- abandonment-in-a-time-of-need that any good friend, partner, commander, comrade or lover should do. Sorry, had to get that off my chest
Lastly; I LOVED how you had everything come full circle at the end It always impresses me when authors are able to reintegrate events or thoughts or points from the beginning of a story, into the end. And you did it masterfully️
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WRITING THIS AMAZING SERIES! Your hard work, time and dedication are EXTREMELY appreciated!️️
I hope things are going well for you and that you and yours are staying healthy I’m keeping an eye out for any books by T.A Rayne Hope your Original Works are going well!
And of course, I’m keeping an eye out for anymore of your fan fiction work (here and ao3)
All the best, and thank you again for giving us this fantastic story.

I love you

por fin estoy en la ultima entrega de esta maravillosa saga y solo digo que estoy un poco mas que fascinada en verdad e disfrutado tanto cada entrega tus parrafos tus narraciones decir que elevas la imagincion y ecxitas mi fascinacion queda corto . como describir el huracan de sensaciones y reacciones que e tenido desde que empece esta odisea . llevo meses leyendo lo que imagino debio costarte años escribir soy pesima con las palabra que quisiera mas que describirte de manera filosofica y lirica lo mucho que me a provocado tu escrito . pero no lo consiguiria solo te puedo agradecer por escribirlo . porque es fascinante , intrigante , ecxitante y entretienes una vaga que ama la lectura . que no habla ingles pero a aprendido muchas cosas gracias a esto . mis mejores deseos eres increible te as convertido en mi aut r favorito .

i've been suspecting SA was apart of what Shuken did to Shikamaru and it seems that might be ringing true... oddly the anxiety that this prospect gave me is starting to ease. I guess it's true we fear the unknown more than anything lol

You really do have an amazing talent for writing! The detail you write with paints such vivid imagery it's impossible not to get lost in the world. I know I mentioned this before but the character development is simply fantastic as well! I'm just as in love watching the characters grow both internally and externally as much as I am in the wonderful twists and turns of your well conceived story line. You obviously put in so much time and effort and you ended up with two beautiful pieces of artBrilliantly done!