God your characterization feels so true to the characters and the pacing and development of their feelings and relationships is just perfect. also “sakura don’t you dare leave me alone” killed me

This is a masterpiece. Kudos to you!

This story has cute and sappy and funny and hear breaking and character dynamics and BAMF Sakura and brotherly Naruto and I love it so much

Wooow. Love it.

Dear author, I always found it interesting that you described this ending as a "little ambiguous", because I didn't think so. Even with Enthalpy aside, I thought this was such a sweet and fitting ending for these two - given everything they'd been through together, and the kind of couple they are in the story. I enjoyed Entropy more than words can express, and I love and appreciate how beautifully it tells the story of SasuSaku's unique and enduring connection to one another. Whenever I see a post questioning how Sakura could have forgiven Sasuke after that incident on the bridge in the Land of Iron, and how impossible and unlikely it was for them to ever be together - I always think of this last ch 17... and how Sakura tells Ino candidly that they're "definitely not" okay after everything she and Sasuke lived through. But I also remember this line: "And she took that sentence, swallowed it whole and let it patch up a small piece of her heart." I think a big part of what I love about SasuSaku in the story is the fact that their love isn't perfect; that there is real hurt and a lot of pain between them. But they work at what they have, because each is precious to the other. They try to understand one another, and try their best to show their love in ways that matter to each other. This story is always the most amazing journey, no matter how many times I read it. I can't believe it took almost a year to leave my reviews. These were so shamefully overdue :( I know SasuSaku doesn't seem to be a focus in your writing anymore, but I'm so grateful for this story and for all of the time you sacrifice to create and share your stories with us. Thank you again for this incredible AU - I will love it forever!

Dear author, again, this was such an awesomely dense chapter with so much to unpack. No matter how many times I read Entropy, I never cease to be amazed by the relentless momentum this fic opens with - and MAINTAINS - throughout the story. As always, there are so many incredible scenes in this chapter - but the things that always strike me the most about Ch 16 are: (1) Sakura's reaction to Tsunade's death, and (2) Sasuke moving back to the Uchiha compound.

For me, real life grief is an emotion that I always find difficult to convey with words. I'm not talking about torrential tears, or guttural wailing... I mean the often silent kind of grief that can tear someone up on the inside; the kind other people can't always see. But I think chapter 16 does an amazing job of showing Sakura's grief in a way that really shows the extent of how crushed she is by Tsunade's death. It's in all the amazing details - how well she knows Tsunade, how she and Shizune did their best to make her last days as comfortable as possible, leaving immediately after she was cremated because she couldn't stand the thought of her and Shizune weeping together, and how even though Sakura felt like she wasn't in a position to openly grieve - she fell apart in a way that seemed so HER in the presence of her precious people. I just tried to imagine her completely spent and totally heartbroken, not really knowing what to do next other than to crawl into her bathtub with her clothes on drinking can after can of warm beer. It was such a pitiful, hopeless and saaaaaad scene. All of those factors combined was just... so depressing. But it's one I love to read over and over because it's so authentic. I could most definitely see this Sakura wallowing in her grief in just that way.

And of course, the entire scene involving Sasuke's move back to his childhood home really brings the development of their relationship full circle for me. I remembered when Sakura first started making these undisclosed, reverent visits to Fugaku and Mikoto's butsudan, and how she'd respected and kept his parents' memory alive without being prompted to. I think what I love most about SasuSaku in this story is their quiet, constant support of one another. And the WAY they show their love and care. It's not through lavish roses, flashy dates, passionate love letters, or that sort of thing. It's through small gestures that nobody but them would really understand; in ways that matter to them and them alone. And Sakura's connection to the Uchiha compound is a shining example of that for me. I loved reading how they did all of the work themselves to repair and restore the main house, and how Sasuke knew instinctively that even if he might not be 100% ready to move back into this place filled with ghosts - its something he knows he can face because he has Sakura. "You're here, aren't you?"

For me, exchanges like that, in scenes like this, told me more about their love and connection to one another than any bombastic confession could have, and I think it's a testament to your writing and ability to convey consequential feelings in subtle ways - one line, one gentle gesture at a time.

I love this story so much (in case you couldn't tell :)

Oh Sakura... you're not fooling anyone! Dear author, I LOVE THIS DETAIL YOU INCLUDE IN YOUR FICS (I remember this gesture in Butterfly, too!): "But her feet were resting on top of his and that intimacy was what really mattered." Again, how does such a relatively chaste gesture speak such volumes in your stories? Even though Sakura is scared in this chapter and tries to push Sasuke away, my inner fangirl loves the warmth in this eyes because he knows she's in denial (i've read this too many times for these scenes to affect me the way they do but I CAN'T HELP IT.) And finally, the ending here... it guts me every time. No matter how many times I read it, I can't believe this is how Tsunade goes... "Did you bring any sake?" and I love how Tsunade-hime is her bad self till the very end. As always, thank you so much for writing and sharing another incredible chapter with us!

Dear author, I loved reading Sakura's little jailbreak in this chapter - very cute how Sasuke knew the magic words to get her going! (who can resist dumplings anmitsu?) I also loved reading the New Year's Day scene at the Haruno's. My favorite part about that was how comfortable and included Sai seemed at Sakura's parents' house... I feel like he suffered just as much tragedy in his childhood as Sasuke, so I love reading stories where Sai has a network of family/friends who love and care about him and want him to feel like he belongs... and I really got that feeling in this scene, so thank you so much for that!

It was also interesting to learn more about Sasuke's family before the massacre through this dinner. Sometimes I forget that the Uchiha were a noble clan, and were probably very strict about following tradition for holidays like New Year's. I always smile when I read how he brings pears to the Haruno's house (that's so Asian! I love shingo bae, too :D)

But the scene that always strikes me hardest in this chapter is of course - the scene at the hospital. And the mind blowing revelation of what Sakura's Divine Palms jutsu did to her formerly damaged reproductive organs. The thing I always think about in that moment when she breaks down in tears is how Sasuke is there... and that he was there before, too. He was there even when he knew she couldn't have children... and he continued to be there for her throughout this ordeal. That's so powerful to me. Over the past year that I've been reading fanfiction, I noticed that many readers who are super anti SasuSaku would sometimes say that Sasuke never loved Sakura, and that he only wanted her to revive his clan. To this day, when I see comments or posts like that I think of this Ch 14. I realize this an AU, but their bond is written so beautifully and authentically, I'm entirely invested in this version of SasuSaku... and this version of Sasuke - the version that clearly wants more from her, whether she can have children or not.

At any rate, this chapter is such an incredible read from start to finish. Thank you so much for writing and sharing it with us!

Dear author, I always falter a bit at chapter 13 because along with Ch 8, it's one of my absolute extra EXTRA favorite chapters in the story. There's so much to unpack and process here, and it always takes me a while to absorb everything no matter how many times I read it.

First, I adored Ino's wedding. I remember reading Entropy for the first time and thinking... "Ino and Chouji?" and thought it was a strange pairing - but the more I read their dynamic here, it made so much sense! I always think of Ino as kind of in your face and high maintenance, and Chouji is so good natured and laid back... I could totally see how he'd be happy to be Ino's indulgent husband. And, given their InoShikaCho connection, I like to think he knows everything there is to know about ino - the good, the bad, the ugly, everything she is underneath that brash exterior because he grew up with her, and loves her for who she is. Their wedding was so sweet, and I especially love how their fathers cried and how emotional everyone was. I wish I was there! :P

And of course, I loved reading SasuSaku's interactions at the reception. His quiet, but steady support throughout the evening was so touching; it's like he understood without being told how Sakura must have felt... It was amazing how nothing escaped his notice when it came to her - even her brief exchange with Neji (I ADORED that part, too! It felt like Sakura had finally moved on from everything that went down with Neji, and I like to think that it's because maybe she has someone to call her own in Sasuke, whether she acknowledges it or not).

I also loved reading the first scene at the hospital (I think it's my favorite scene from the chapter!) I LOVE how Sakura is written in this fic. I love how she's multidimensional and we get to see all her sides - Sakura the hardened soldier; Sakura the ANBU captain; Sakura the daughter; Sakura the scientist; Sakura the doctor; Sakura the friend; Sakura the sister to Naruto and Sai... and I loved reading Sakura the teacher in this chapter. I love that even though she's tough as nails on the outside, and expects the best from her students - she approaches teaching with an openness, accessibility and patience.

The second part of that hospital scene is what makes this my favorite scene in the chapter though. Sasuke's medical appointment was so informative. I loved how this scene was used to tell us more about the changes Naruto was making to village governance, and it was awesome to learn how Sasuke had the support of village heavyweights like Nara Shikaku and Kiba's grandfather.

BUT THE ULTIMATE ULTIMATE ULTIMATE part of this scene for me came at the end of Sasuke's exam. When he asks her to "Do that thing you do, it makes me feel better" and they share that fleeting kiss. I felt this way reading Butterfly and Pining Ardor, too... but it's incredible to me how your writing makes the most tender, subtle and sometimes even chaste gestures seem earth shattering. I mean... I've read scenes in stories where people are in the throes of a SEARING kiss where tongues are battling and they're feverishly groping each other and everything is INTENSE to the 1000th degree... But THIS moment - this soft, gentle, not entirely certain blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment between SasuSaku in this Ch 13 always manage to THROW ME OFF AN EMOTIONAL CLIFF the way very few scenes in fiction have managed to affect me ever.

BUt of course, the momentum in this chapter never lets up - because while Sasuke is away on his mission we find out about this mysterious bleeding! Can I also just say - I know you are a teacher and i have no idea if you also have a medical background at all or not, but the detailed terminology used in this story is absolutely incredible. For me as a reader, it lends a certain gravitas to these scenes and to what is going on with Sakura... and finally, I can't end this ass crazy rambling review without commenting on Sasuke's insistence on seeing her at the very end of the chapter. The fact that he let his sharingan activate at the thought of someone keeping her away from him said it all.

"Fuck off kid, you don't know her." SWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON. Ok, I'll end things here before I get any more cringey and embarrassing. As always, thank you so much for writing and sharing another INCREDIBLE CHAPTER WITH US!

Dear author, I love this chapter because despite all of the confusion - SasuSaku's kiss, her willingness to just brush it aside like it never happened and her refusal to think about why, their fight, how they made up, that dinner at yakiniku-Q, and all of the ways everyone around them seems to know what's unfolding even if they do not: the events of this chapter always ground things for me as a reader. Because Sasuke's willingness to let down his guard around her, and how he sought her out when he was sick and his leg was infected... and how he said in the midst of his fever: "I don't like it when you go" was so telling... And of course, Sai's painting. poor Sakura... I love how this story honestly and faithfully acknowledges the enormous hurt Sasuke caused Sakura, and how difficult it must have been in reality for her to acknowledge this person who caused her so much pain for who he was, and to reconcile his own feelings for her. gahhhhhhhhhh i hope that was remotely coherent... as always, thank you so much for writing and sharing another wonderful chapter with us!

Dear author, whenever I come back to this story I am aways amazed (and grateful) for its pacing and momentum. It always takes me a minute to get down from the RUSH that is chapters 8 and 9... only to get swept up in this stunning revelation about Sakura's infertility in Ch 10. And of course, that blow out with Sasuke always sends me reeling. Their words are so cutting and awful and raw and AUTHENTIC and I know each meant every single word they said, even if they may have regretted saying it out loud to the other. The revelation about Sakura here makes all of the clues you dropped in prior chapters make sense. I remember back at base when Sakura injected herself with that toxin, how Naruto blows up at Kakashi, saying how he doesn't even know how Sakura can't _... and no wonder Sasuke's insults about how she'd make a terrible mother flipped a switch in her. These chapters are so emotionally charged, so informative, and as a reader I can't tell you how much I love and appreciate how this story just DOES. NOT. LET. UP. As always, thank you so much for writing and sharing another thrilling installment with us!

Dear author... reading the scene where Sakura and her boys all wake up and stumble into the kitchen for ham and eggs always makes my heart twinge. I think it's because I remember watching shippuden, and wondering what this reunion would have been like. And this breakfast scene in Ch 9 of Entropy fulfilled everything I hoped for in their reunion.

I also loved reading the scene where Naruto goes through his medical exam for ANBU. The biggest thing that always gets me about Sasuke's hearing is learning about the evidence raised by Tsunade and Sakura regarding the Massacre... and how a thorough investiation was being brought on the village's own involvement in the murder of an entire clan. This answered so many questions for me as a reader - I wondered how much of the truth Sakura and the Hokage knew, and this confirmed my suspicions. It was awesome and so gratifying to read that Sakura had her teammate's back in ways that would have really mattered to him- the clearing of his brother's name, and the truth about what happened to his clan. This realization also leant a certain gravitas to the end of this chapter, where Sasuke realizes Sakura's the one who's been visiting his family's butsudan. The knowledge of what Sakura knew and understood... and what she'd done, gave greater meaning and weight to their first kiss for me. I adore this chapter, and as always - thank you so much for writing and sharing your work with us!

Dear author, I really love reading the opening segment of this chapter. The way you described Naruto - not as the esteemed Uzumaki-Taichou that his subordinates knew him as, or the future Hokage... but someone who was comfortable enough with his teammates to let down his guard and show his exhaution really nailed home the idea that Team 7 was a family. I also always love reading the scene between Sasuke and Shigehito. Everything about that exchange and the setting is so telling. I love Sasuke's subtle but pointed reactions to Shigehito's ogling and suggestive remarks.. i also love that of all the things you could have had Sasuke reading - he was trying to skim through a journal that contained a condensed version of her life. I like to think that it was SAsuke's way of wanting to try and get to know Sakura better.. the real Sakura. The Sakura he missed out on during his defection from the village.

Also, my black coal heart always goes doki-doki reading the scene of Sakura and Sasuke on the roof. I love how he says it again - "don't you dare leave me alone." Maybe I'm a weirdo and reading too much into this, but it always feels like whatever's between them is so much more than romance. For me, this scene is indicative of a true, bone deep connection of some kind. These exchanges they have...it's almost as heavy and consequential as a kiss. I feel like so much is conveyed between them in everything left unsaid. It's in their gestures - Sasuke lifting away from her hand only to put his arm around her shoulders and pull her close; and the way they engage in easy banter is all so... organic. (bawling...!)

I always read Ch 7 lulled into this warm, fuzzy false sense of security - only to be punched in the gut at the end (LOL!) No matter how many times I read this story, Chapter 7 and 8 never fail to KICK MY ASS IN THE BEST WAYS POSSIBLE. As always,thank you thank you thank you so much for writing and sharing this amazing installment with us!

Dear author, sasuke's vigilance in this chapter was heartbreaking. as someone who's already lost so much in his young life, I couldn't even imagine how terrifying it must have been to see his old teammate - one of the few people who'd shown an inkling that she was glad to have him back - in this state. Again, I really appreciate the descriptions you provided at the beginning of this chapter - how everyone, even kakashi (who I have to imagine has a stomach of steel and has seen it ALL) couldn't bear to witness her writhing for more than a few minutes at a time...

Also, I absolutely love that she shit herself in front of Sasuke. I really needed to read that. Not because I have some weird fetish, but because I needed to know that Sasuke really saw her at her WORST. And I love how they're settling into an unmistakable... something. I love how the development of whatever this is between them is painted for us through actions - not some dramatic overt confession - because that just isn't them. Whatever is going on seems so organic and natural, and it's so beautiful to read.

SasuSaku's connection aside, I also loved all of the info we got on the poison here. I had an inkling early on that this was actually something Sakura made, and it was awesome to get that confirmation in this chapter! And finally, I don't know if this was intentional - but i really love how Sakura's apprentices are written and distinguished here. Takumi as "prince panic" is perfect, and I love how between the two of them - KEI is the one who's level headed and can be relied upon to progress how Sakura's body is fighting against the toxin (not all girls flinch at the sight of blood and guts!) As always, thank you so much for writing and sharing another brilliant chapter with us!

Dear author, this chapter always stuns no matter how many times I read it. I love how we get these glimpses in the story of Sakura's past. As a reader, these flashbacks (?) helped me learn who she is in the present and what molded her into the kunoichi she is. It also helped me understand the depth of her connection to Naruto - that she didn't think twice about packing up and following him to war the day he burst into her office at the hospital covered in blood.

I also loved reading the slow changes in Sakura's interactions with Sasuke. I appreciate how the story acknowledges that really -they don't know each other. Sakura doesn't have the same connection to him that Naruto does, and seeing how they're learning how to get used to each other's presence and slowly rebuilding trust is something that was important for me to read. I also GREATLY appreciated Sakura and Sasuke's moment once that genjutsu broke just before reaching Base 3. It was gratifying to read Sakura really lay it on him - and acknowledge that yes he'd suffered terrible things, but so had she.

And of course, once they got to Kakashi's base and saw what Kei was dealing with ... the level of detail provided into the poisoned shinobis' symptoms, what the poison was doing to their bodies, Sakura's observations, the descriptions of what she had to do to ensure that her patient was strong enough to withstand poison extraction in the process of healing damaged cells, etc. is always so heady and FUN to read! And that final scene where she injects the poisonous matter into herself is always mind blowing. As always, thank you so much for writing and sharing your work with us!