artemisfireflame

To ciardha and Shadowmoon-
Thanks so much for letting me know what your responses to that Sasuke scene were--it's very enlightening, and I will definitely make sure to address/edit that issue in later chapters. Although I never ever wanted that scene to come off as Sasuke being obsessed with Sakura, I did want to portray that undeniable attachment he had to her. Whether or not that attachment was love is highly debatable, although personally, I tend to think that it isn't. Instead, with the way both Sasuke and Sakura have grown in the manga, I can only believe, and then write about, their relationship as being a "bond" in every ambiguous sense of the word. I hope to not spoil anything, but I should say here that Sasuke is by no means acting on any obsession with Sakura, his goals are a little bit broader than that. So instead, that scene was meant to show how emotionally volatile he has grown to be within the years that have past. And more so than jealously, he feels resentment instead. I promise to make this much clearer throughout the story. Thanks so much for giving me your opinions on that!

To ciardha on the way Naruto had betrayed Sakura-
I'm actually pleased that you became so protective of Sakura and angry at Naruto! This was the reaction I was really trying to pull from readers with the way he treated her. I do apologize, however, because those feelings can be quite cumbersome and unpleasant. An overall point I'm trying to get across with this situation however, is that people do bad things to other people, whether or not they are family members, friends, or strangers. Those victimized are at real crossroads: how are they supposed to reason out and prioritize judgement, condemnation, forgiveness, and tolerance? That is the limbo that my story's Sakura has been in for years, and she has finally been pushed to a point where she has to choose. I hope I will hear from you about later chapters! Your thoughts and criticisms are extremely illuminating! Thanks so much!

And to Jenskott and tricksie, once again and forever, thanks so much for your support!

Ehehehe, thanks so much! *blushing* I wouldn't be able to keep writing without you guys.

Cupcake-sama,
Thanks a bunch! You're so sweet!

To Jenskott and ciardha,
Thanks a lot for your constructive thoughts!
I have been getting a lot of suggestions to put Naruto more in character, although I feel like I've portrayed him as such in the flashbacks when Sakura and Naruto are really together. I can't say much more on the topic without spoiling future plot, but it's been really interesting how readers focus on their breakup and the events afterwards than on the great moments they actually had with each other. And I really hoped to make a point of how Sakura seems to be balancing out both the good and bad memories, as if she's trying to make sense of their disparity herself, however subconsciously. There is a reason for Naruto being so strange, but that is all I can say, for now.

To ciardha, on the ShikaSaku ship,
That is a really important point of the story that I've been trying to get across: just because a man and a woman have a great friendship, doesn't meant they are destined for a relationship. There is just something about an excellent, platonic understanding between a guy and a girl that I really enjoy writing or reading about. Shikamaru and Sakura by no means see each other as brother and sister, but they do not see each other as dateable material. They are supposed to be attracted to each other because they are such compatible people, but neither would, by no means, ever cross that line. I'll work on making this clearer in the future. Thanks for the tip!

To ciardha, on your last paragraph about Sasuke...
I apologize, but I was a little confused.. Did the Sasuke in my story give off the impression that he was obsessed with her? If so, please tell me when and where, because that was certainly not an idea I wanted to ever express...

To all- thanks so much!

Hope you guys enjoy it!
(And thanks, cupcake-sama, for notifying the thread! Much obliged!)

I am very curious as to the reactions this chapter will receive, so for anyone who reads it, if you can, let me know what you think!

Thanks a bunch, and take care!

Hullo, you lovely people! Nice to meet you all!
So, I've been hiding behind the pseudonym, 'artemisfireflame', for some months now... Whether or not to join this passionate community has been a nagging conflict in the back of my head, but I thought it was finally about time to! I'm glad I did!

Here's a link to my account on FF.net if you'd be interested in a little story I cooked up, titled Fool Me Once, Shame On Me: http://www.fanfictio...rtemisfireflame

Thank you! Everyone--take care, keeping writing and reading, and have a wonderful day! :D