This was adorable! I love Iruka! And seeing how his life potentially was before cannon is so nice :D

I always had a fascination with Iruka, a man who means so much to Naruto and yet has a more ambiguous background than the ever mysterious Kakashi. There's such a lack of background detail on the man that character development stories are always intriguing, especially since he is the perfect example of not-just-another-soldier.

It was a nicely written fic with a good flow and the plot was sincere

Wow.

Wow. That's fantastic. I love character-focus stories. I also loved Way of the Apartment Manager, and I think you've done a great job with Iruka. I love stories where Iruka turns out to be ANBU or stronger than he seems, but when he comes up like you've handled him, I love him that way too.

The mercy kill was pretty hard-hitting. Excellent writing.

Praise be for all teachers.

Wow this was a really interresting take on Iruka, his past, and the Shinobi world in general. Nicely written, and certainly food for thought.

If I had to complain about anything it'd be the idea that Iruka might be related homura. I loathe that character.

Still even if it turns out to be cannon it's not like I'd look at Iruka differenly. I just don't think homura and koharu deserve any descendants and I'm perfectly happy with imagining them wasting away in their house with whoever they married abandoned by any kids tey might have had and thus denied any claim as parents or grandparents.

Soooo, anyway thanks for posting. Have a great day.

I found that very insightful and interesting but I think it would have been improved by atlest brefly metioning his relationship with Naruto.

Oh, this is wonderful and heartbreaking. Iruka, you are such a good person. ;o;

I love your characterization of Iruka. I do wish Kishi would give us this type of backstory for him. You rock.

So wow. This was just... amazing. I have a love for Iruka in general, and the progression of him from naive genin to the caring teacher was just lovely. A highly enjoyable piece, thanks for writing. :3

i can't even imagine what it would be like trying to balance humanity with being a shinobi.

i am so glad i found this story- cause honestly- everything worked- the backstory regarding iruka's dad, his sensei telling him to try something different. him hyperventilating when the little girl said his class was her favorite e.t.c.

all little everydayish details that just sing!

beautiful work!

P.S. there is a little something i thought that could be improved on- when aunt sadako talked about her time killing a child, it was kinda jarring that there was only her words- it would have been nice if we say a bit of her exrpession for visuals. but eh, maybe iruka could understand and accept by tone of voice alone, really, its just me speaking from personal taste.

Oh damn, I really like this. I loved Iruka already, but with this I think I love him even more now.

Iruka Love

Oh My God! This was incredible! I love it! Iruka is *perfect*. I don't know how else to describe it. This is wonderful, and definitely going in my favorites. Great job and good luck with any future Iruka-fic!

-TS

It all worked very well! Great job!