This concept belongs to fallenxzero. Really a great picture.

I'm a young person in an old body. Sorry about that. Really.

Fortunately for me, there are no limits on the imagination.

Still, have always been, and will always be, a fan girl from way back.

Current favorites:

Naruto, Inuyasha, Full Metal Alchemist, Samurai Shamploo, Fruits Basket, Hikaru No Go, Prince of Tennis, Ghost Hunt, Anything Studio Ghibli, Buffy, Firefly, Angel, Anything Jane Austen

and a lot more...I did mention I was older? I've covered a lot of territory.

I'm always interested in finding about new series - isn't that what is for?

And I love to read what amazing, creative stories people have come up with. I hope you enjoy reading mine, too.

While working on 'Dear Kazekage' I did some research about Japanese recipes. I found a terrific series on YouTube called 'CookingwithDog'. You have to take a look! The recipes are really good and Francis, the dog, is just too cute. The Japanese cook is great, too. And wait till you listen to the excellent English with the Japanese accent. I tried the ramen soup recipe and it was delicious. I did vary it a little, but that is what is so good about ramen. You can change it up to suit your tastes. I think even Naruto would like my ramen, although I'm sure it's not as good as Teuchi's. Here is the link for the ramen soup: http://www.youtube.com/user/cookingwithdog#p/u/22/-wa0umYJVGg There are also recipes for dango, mochi, tonkatsu, chawan mushi, and all sorts of interesting dishes.

Here is the story of Momotaro, the Peach Boy that Baki read to Daichi: http:///fairytales/momotaro.htm.

I thought I'd give you a little information on how I came up with Neji's music in 'Heart Broken'. I've always loved Asian music and listen quite a lot to Chinese music - especially folk and traditional music. In researching Japanese instruments that would be traditional but could be used in a modern way, I came across the Yoshida Brothers, shamisen masters. Their style of music, traditional Japanese melodies and techniques, fused with modern rock elements were exactly what I wanted for Neji. The description of the music in my story is all original, but, for a taste of the kind of music that inspired me, take a listen, especially to 'Passion', track 7 on the 'Best of the Yosihida Brothers'. It's an amazing mix of Argentinian tango and Japanese folk music: http:///yoshidabrothers/

I'm not the only one who thinks the Yoshida Brothers are fantastic. They were a big hit at Otakon 2010. I know, 'cause I was there.

Oh, yes, Märchen (or Maerchen as I’ve written it because it’s too hard to keep inserting the umlauted 'a') means 'Fairy tale' and Freunden means 'Friends'. I'm just a little too old to use something like KakashisOldGalPal, which was my original thought...(gag-not really)and fairy tales have always been my first love when it comes to alternative worlds. I actually studied Märchen in Germany as an elective at the University of Freiburg im Breisgau many years ago. Isn't it great to know that it is possible to take fairy tales as an elective? Think about it...perhaps 'Naruto' could be a course in creative storytelling...with all your work posted on fanfiction! What? It could happen! Anyway, I love the concept of a fairy tale: In the real world strange things happen, generosity and kindness are rewarded, jealousy and evil are punished, and there is a always a happy ending...even if it's kind of creepy.