nooo nooooo oh God.

Wow :) A very unique take on Sakumo's death. I would never have thought of that.

sterling

It's kind of funny how I came to read this story. I'm currently writing my first one right now, and I was bored after I finished the most recent chapter, and came across an Iruka/Anko fic that I liked. One thing lead to another, and the author mentioned this story in particular in his note.

Okay... Why am I telling you this? The story I'm writing, there is a flashback where Kiba's father is revealed to be on the same team as Sakumo's. Trying to cover the mission and how things went the way they did... and strangely enough, when I saw that person's mention of your story, I checked it out, and it definitely helped with the next few chapters I'm beginning to start writing. I just found it funny how when I was trying to add onto more ideas for the next chapter, I came across this story. P

Oh, right, great story!(Just realized I pretty much didn't even say anything remotely close to a review up until now.) I'm not really a great fan of short fics, but I mean, there's not much else that really could be told about his suicide, and I think you did a pretty good job of keeping it brief, in character, and believable. Definitely changed my mind about short fics. )

Oooh . . . that evil snake!

Good work on this one, Taryn. It was a cool "what-if."

Duyawwh. Awwwhh.

I absolutely love the irony that dances around in this fic.

And the scene with Orochimaru and Anko was just precious- student, trying to please master without full understand of /what/ and /why/. Ryu and Iruka's was too- Father doing everything he could to protect his son.

Oh Irony! Speaking of Fathers, I love how all the decisions Sakumo makes are trying to be the best father he can, along with Ryu's. But Sakumo fails in trying soooo hard, and Ryu- who isn't even a Konoha ninja- seems to excel at it.

And yet, he may be great at parenting, but (if he's anything like Iruka) will he realize how much stopping to talk to Sakumo might of helped- although he had his priorities straight and did everything like, it would be an awesome followup with him to wonder/angst... hinthint.

Ignore my big smile thruogh the whole thing. :) It was great!

Anko... oh Anko! :D I love thou child. "Swinging her legs childishly..." Captured her PERFECTLY... er, even if she is three xD

Very good only thing that might be wrong but probably worth mentioning:

"Ryū, you idiot! he berated himself, should have caught it, should have-"

Should it be, "you should have", or is it supposed to be just "should" :) ?

Anyway. :) What a great fic! I love it. :}

I would like the see another Orochimaru&Anko fic... :) (BESIDES REGRETS. Like, little Anko:)

That would be awesome

Keep writing,

Sincynati

First off, my apologies. I'm reading this for the first time today, though you posted over 4 months ago, as the fic had gotten buried in my infamous "Unread Stories" folder that I always mean to get around to.

Toward the end of this story I noticed that my jaw had dropped without my realizing it. I was that surprised. Your conspiracy theory here totally blew me away, and my gut wrenched at the sheer tragedy of it all.

But let's begin at the beginning, shall we? I enjoyed your opening, where you contrast Sakumo's former extreme popularity and current isolation. Also where he reflected on his teammate's reaction to his decision.

And can I tell you how delightfully ironic it is that Sakumo & Ryu had an argument over the chunin exams, similar to Kakashi's & Iruka's? It's in keeping with Kishimoto's running theme of the past repeating itself through future generations.

One of my favorite sections is:

"Kai!" Nothing. "Kai!" No twisting as reality warped back to normal, no feeling of his chakra snapping back to its paths. "Kai!" No curious little voice. "Kai!" No pattering feet, no gleeful smile as Kashi mastered a new jutsu and eagerly ran to show him.

And you just had to give us that little glimmer of false hope, didn't you? That moment when we think "Aha! Ryu! He'll set things straight." I'm impressed that Orochimaru thought ahead, realizing that Ryu was likely to be the only person who would notice or care that something was not right with Sakumo and try to intervene. And poor little 'Ruka... (So even at two, you've already got him with his scar. Just curious, do you have a theory behind its origin as well?)

To tell you the truth, I prefer this version of Sakumo's suicide over the traditional motives he is given. How could he refuse to leave his teammates behind, but then abandon his only son?

But talk about twisting the knife- you just had to have Sakumo realize the truth after it was already too late. As though I needed any more reason to despise Orochimaru- Now I'm going to hate him for something he (probably) didn't do! :)

I'm wondering...does Anko ever come to realize what role she unwittingly played in Sakumo's suicide?

Kudos for a very gripping and surprising tale!

I can't wait to read more.

Wow... That was AMAZING!

That's such a great idea! I LOVED your take on the whole Sakumo/Kakashi thing.

I'm gonna have to go check out those other stories sometime soon :D

Wow...you definitely went to a different place with this one. You chilled my blood at how easily Orochimaru manipulated Sakumo...and the fact that his reason for doing away with Sakumo was so he might keep Kakashi as a genin long enough to take him onto his own team is just a simply chilling thought.

The level of angst and emotion you portrayed through Sakumo and Ryu's intense devotion to both of their sons was perfectly laid out, and that fact that Sakumo /knew/ that Kakashi was actually still alive as the last of his own life left his body was simply genius and explains why Sakumo was waiting for Kakashi in the limbo space of the afterlife in the manga.

Nicely done...

'Krazed

This was amazing. Poor Sakumo.

I'd love to see this continued with things going the way Orochimaru expected. A Kakashi trained by him would be very interesting to see.