Absolutely gorgeous piece! Very heartwarming, and precisely the happy ending and closure every character deserves :) Love your characterisation :)
One of my favorite Itachi stories :) Hope to see more from you, and thanks for sharing!

Hello again n_n Again another really lovely fic. I loved Itachi's POV and the insight to his thoughts, and just the whole thing. I *am* a little confused by Kakashi's, Yamato's, and Sasuke's gifts...because I would think Sasuke, at least, would realize what bad memories these items would hold for him (ESPECIALLY if the chokutou is the weapon he used to massacre his clan, which Sasuke of all people would know; and since Itachi, presumably, hasn't used one since...). Yeah, I know, he had some good memories of ANBU, but as you hint at clearly in Itachi's thoughts and even NARUTO'S observations, Itachi doesn't really enjoy the shinobi way of life and was actually enjoying the respite. To me, the gift seemed like they were trying to get him to join ANBU again. And I disagree with Naruto that saying "he's done enough" is a cowardly excuse (if anything saying that is extremely callous and demeaning). If the point was to allow Itachi back into the village under disguise, I think there are less obvious ways than dressing as an ANBU. And even if Itachi DID want to return to shinobi life, he doesn't need to become ANBU, unless the anonymity factor is the reason. I dunno, that bothered me a lot. Instead of asking first, they backed Itachi into a corner. I realize at the end Itachi DID decide to take them up on the 'offer,' and frankly that confused me a little-it's unclear whether Itachi was agreeing to become a full-fledged Konoha shinobi or was just agreeing to show his face in the village again, but if I'm not mistaken it seems the former is the implication.

That's not to say that I think it was out of character for Kakashi, Yamato, Naruto, or even Sasuke to do that... I could understand their POV (you nailed it on the head when Itachi observed that Kakashi has good intentions, but could be a bastard if he's not on your side), but since Sai's point still stands, it seemed like trying to take advantage of Itachi's skills again in a way that would disregard Itachi's own desires (since his only option to return to Konoha-or to Konoha's service-would be through ANBU, anonymously). The end does give the impression that Itachi is finally home, though, and not isolated from would-be friends-which of course is the ideal-I'm just still confused and conflicted about the means of getting him there.

That's my only complaint about the fic though (other than WHO WAS SASUKE BLUSHING ABOUT AHAHA); I know you must be raising your eyebrows since I just spent the majority of this review obsessing over a perceived flaw, but it's more that I can't really say anything about loving fic other than...I loved it. It was lovely. And I will cherish re-reading it in the future. Sai's gift was absolutely beautiful (That caption: "Always" SO PERFECT AND BEAUTIFUL AND GAH-there's really no better word to encapsulate Itachi's and Sasuke's love for each other!), and Sakura's was thoughtful; I loved the revelation about Shisui being Itachi's lover (and Sasuke's diffusing of the tension, heh!), and like I said already, ALL of Itachi's inner narration (whether the little insight we got into Fugaku and Mikoto, or about Akatsuki-and Kisame! Ultimate BrOTP). So yes, much more to love about this fic than to be confused/disgruntled over. I'm so so glad I found you! Thanks for writing, and again, I look forward to reading your other work!

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That was really beautiful. *sighs*
If only it would end this way in canon

I know this was fluff, but I liked it. You're a very good writer. I really liked the line about Kakashi: "If good men like to stick their fingers up twelve year olds' asses." LOL...that whole interchange at that part of the story was the best of it. Thank-you for sharing.

*sniffles* waaaaaaaaaah if only it could have gone that way *goes of to use Danzo for target practice with her shotgun*

Fanfics like this need millions of reviews and viewers. Spread the word3

So good that i stayed up to 3 am, and it's Monday tomorrow. I regret nothing!

I loved this 3. A very well-written and fitting birthday commemoration fic. I applaud you!

i saw this on tumblr and just had to read it! good jooooobbb loved the brotherly bonding and tachi-kun's laughter

this was cool!

I liked it!

Great fic!

Congrats!

I would like to hug this story. Thank you for writing it. It's been such a long time since I've read such a good one-shot

This story is so beautiful! I love how everyone's characterization is on spot and the changing moods of the story.

And the ending! Thank you for writing this!

You make me cry every single time I read one of your stories. I absolutely loved that ending words cannot describe my feelings right now, I can simply see it, it is too perfect. My goodness I love your writing so much.