Don't worry about taking a while to update - it took me a while to review. But I am finally getting to it! And sorry to say I'm making up for lateness in longness. Blame Niji-chan! Now because of her sometimes during longer chapter things I'll take notes rather than just review at the end......

Man, Kasumi sure does seem darker, though I'm pretty sure that was you intention, so bravo. For some reason I enjoy reading her like this, but I keep wanting Naruto suddenly appear and knock some sense into her. Then again, I'm sure you have a reason for why she's like this. There's obviously something terrible that happened. Whatever it is, Juro played a big role. I can't help but sympathize with him. I've felt so much guilt through some of my characters it's almost too easy to feel Juro's.

Haha. Never underestimate the Leaf. This generation is, like, three times stronger than most because they're the main characters from the series XD.

The Mist turned it's back on Kasumi? Maybe I've just been thinking of Uchihas too much, but this is making me think the village killed her family and made her take the blame for certain reasons......

I really like Juro. He's just.... I dunno. He's strong willed and everything, but you also have us this other side of him to look at. The weaker, human side. Like how he's all stressed from the three day thing, confused by his own emotions, and the fatherly side. But he has to keep pushing those feelings back to be a daimyo. Makes me think of that Superman song you told me about for the CS chapter. And that blade. What is so important about it? Did he give it to her as a gift before? Or the other way around? Could they be of the same clan and it's a clan thing? Darn it. You're being a buttmunch and letting my imagination run wild. That's rarely a good thing because it jumps to some things that leave me thinking for a while and even more anxious for the answer.

Okay, this is me being picky, but it bugs me. Blond and blonde are two different things. I actually just looked it up. It's a French word, so blond is for boys and blonde for girls, and when using it as an adjective (the ____ child), it's usually used as blond. Okay, got that out of my system......

Anyway, I think you're doing a spectacular job nailing the personalities and interactions. I especially think you write Naruto and Kakashi well, which probably has to do with the fact you wrote them more in TRoaL.

Don't ask me why I'm being picky today, but gosh, it's hitting hard. Maybe it's because you're so good and I just want to see you get even better or something. Or the lack of school is making me want to be an English teacher in some way. Doesn't Kiba usually speak loudly? Or am I just wrong? Because if he usually speaks loudly, it's pointless to add in loudly.

Gosh, I can feel Juro's fatigue. My body is literally aching now. Thanks, Onee-chan =P. in a way I liked for his Kasumi slip up because it seemed like a transition from the sensei and daimyo with his former student to returning to being the daimyo completely. If that makes sense.

I'm really glad you're making Naruto's strong bond with Inari and his family so much more obvious. It's a lot more realistic. But Naruto is sooo thick headed. Yet I just love the doofus. Gosh, too much CS writing. I smiled quite largely when I saw Shikamaru's name. Then again, seeing as I've been thinking of him lately in CS, that may play a role...... Gosh, you did a spectacular job with Naruto through this entire chapter. Every time you write about him it's like reading the manga. Just amazing, Onee-chan. Now I have that out of the way and will try not to repeat it while reading the next scene with him and Masaru.

Orochimaru...... *shivers*. You wrote him especially creepy, Onee-chan. It's just not right. But now they're coming into play, too. I wonder how it'll turn out. A battle between Kasumi and Sasuke would be really awesome.

Great job with scenery. I can imagine it perfectly. Naruto's anger was also quite realistic. Yeah! Masaru. He was always one of my favorites, so it's nice to see him again. I still like him a lot, but he seems a lot different. Maybe that's just because we're seeing a different side of him or something? I dunno. But he's definitely different. I find it ironic he likes to like the sun disappear over the horizon and then Suiheisen means horizon.

Man, I don't care what your beta says, I think this scene was perfect and just downright beautiful. Then again, that may be because I love sunsets. I do t see them often, but the sky is just sooo beautiful...... So far in this story Masaru is my favorite oc. Juro is close, but I can't help it *scratches back of head*. I think the length was quite realistic, actually. Maybe it seemed dragged out to her/him, but sometimes life is dragged out, and to tell the truth, I don't think it was. Then again, that may explain why I have my own problems with dragging out scenes U^_^. But yeah, favorite scene of the chapter, Onee-chan!

Kakashi is just so smart. Then again, he was a possible candidate for the next Hokage. Do not doubt the copy ninja! I'm glad he noticed, because at least it means we get some answers. Unless you pull a me, give us a bit of information, then leave us hanging. I tend to do that a lot..... Anyway, another scene that was awesome. To tell the truth, this entire chapter really seems like something one would see from the anime or manga. It is just soooo great, Onee-chan.

Hm.... I wonder how Sasuke will process the little bit of information given to him. It really makes me wonder.

Well, as I'm sure you guessed, I absolutely loved this chapter. Now I must apologize for the short story of a review you just had to read..... U^_^

Author's Response: Sasaui, why do you do this to me? T_T So much to respond to~

I did really like Kasumi's old snarky attitude but I also really am enjoying writing her as a mean and dark character. The past does play a big role, which includes Juro, so there is a lot of plot to this story (or that's what I was aiming for at least).

I can tell you that the Mist did not kill her family, if that's what you're assuming. Something a little more intricate than that. And I'm trying to write Juro as a deep character just as I am with Kasumi, I really am falling in love with them both because they mesh so interestingly well together. And as for the sword... not telling you ^_^

When it comes to the "blonde" vs. "blond" thing, I don't usually sweat it too much because I never remember to get them right and the point of my story isn't so much to differentiate between the blond(e) and I was never too much of a grammar master for myself anyways. And with Kiba being loud... he's not always loud, really. It's not like he's speaking loudly for every single thing he says. That is being a little bit too picky in my opinion and I don't think I need to worry too much about whether I should be saying "loudly" with Kiba or not.

Happy to hear I'm getting all the characters in character ^_^ I feel like that's such a big struggle for myself, I always screw up with dialogue sometimes. But I'm glad you like them all. I'm also happy that you liked the sunset scene, I am still wondering if I made it too long but I don't want to change it because I feel it still came out pretty nicely. Masaru is, of course, the other OC I'm writing that I'm falling in love with ^_^ I enjoy him when he thinks about Kasumi, it's so sweet.

Lots of more fun coming out when I start writing more, glad you liked this chapter Sasaui! Thanks for reading and reviewing, much appreciated!

Haha this was a long ass chapter indeed :P

I liked it a lot. Really interested to see how the Daiymo and Kasumi knew each other and what they went through. I know you gave some hints but I mean in deeper detail.

Masaru...isn't he part of the Suihesen? (I think I spelled it right) Interesting run in with Naruto.

Ah yes still keeping Orochimaru, Kabuto, and Sasuke in the mix. Sweet. Excited to see where that leads.

So awesome chapter, I'll be looking for the next update.

Author's Response: Sorry about that >_> In my defense, I guess I've written longer installments in the past but this was definitely pretty lengthy compared to previous chapters. I'm glad you liked this chapter :D I'm drawing out the relationship between Juro and Kasumi so slowly XD It'll take nearly the whole story to explain to the readers how they know each other and what went down in the past. Stay tuned ;D Masaru is part of the Suiheisen, yes. He's Kasumi's right hand man. And I was a little iffy on bringing Orochimaru and Kabuto and Sasuke in this story again, but I decided I liked the mesh of madness they brought in. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter, thanks for reading and reviewing!