Really good story.

I absolutely loved this fic! It had so much feeling to it. You write Gaara very well.

Wait a second, I need to get my baby sister, I feel the strong urge to hug someone.

...kay, I'm back. So yah. That night. The "transformation".
I guess anything that could be said about it would be terribly obvious.

Its kinda odd to rewatch/reread the earlier parts of the story seeing just how psycho he was - He's turned into such an epitome of reason and common sense that you could at times mistake him for the other four kage's babysitter. so yeah, let's thank Naruto for beating sense into half the ppl he ever came across.

I've been wondering when you'd get to that very crucial turning point. You never disappoint. Instead of the more graphic aspects, you dug deep, deep within which is more powerful than the violent deed itself. *salutes*

I get your notes. Reading with hindsight, right? Putting it that way, it really is comforting. :)

YES NARUTO, WE OWE YOU ONE :D
i think this was great .

great chapter :D

I really liked reading this fic. It's always interesting to read how the cute little Gaara from the flashbacks turned into the homicidal boy we see in the chuunin exams. I'm looking forward to reading more :D

Quite skillfully written, I liked the sheer intensity at the beginning and just the flow of this in general, how poor little Gaara's confusion gradually turns into frustration.

When I read Baki's line I understood the direction and it was striking and powerful indeed. The jinchuuriki's fight for individuality against everyone else's refusal to separate it from the monster inside, much like Naruto's struggle, only different. And I find it quite amazing how you'd include a certain aspect here which was a revelation in canon that you're not aware of yet. When you find out what it is, I think you'll be very glad to have written this. Great insight as always. You got Gaara down to a tee.

Quite poignant and deep.

Ah, the good old "What does he DO all the time"-question and the power of perception - if you have a certain idea in your head, it will influence how you interpret the things you see and hear - you'd be totally lost without prior knowledge - and so, it didn't occur to Kankuro that this is just an ordinary case of a curious younger sibling playing with your toys.

Good work on the general atmosphere and that feeling of resignation at the end which you established with so little words. Poor little Gaara, someone needs to give him a hug.

I kinda knew what would happen to the lizard the moment it appeared. But that was brilliantly written as always. It's exactly how a person's mind can be conditioned at an early age and readily accept things as normal. Very realistic. YOU should write a book. :)

The last review is mine, in case you can't tell. I didn't realize I wasn't logged on. Hehe. Anyways, great chapter again! May I add, that it's also so sad, well that's pretty much the thrust of this whole story, I know. But that last part where Gaara couldn't revive his enthusiasm anymore...temporary escape ruined. *sniff*

Insomnia sucks! XD This one's my favorite chapter too so far. I can picture it as you described. Little Gaara lost in his own imagination as he played, just like any kid, except he could actually make a mini-sandstorm.

"destroying" Kankuro's toys. Aah the power of perception (or lack of it) and building more misconceptions that eventually becomes ones' accepted reality. Once again, the realism and depth are amazing. Great work again. Looking forward to the next.

Interesting. Good job at doing that entire "kids world view" and the unspoken rules that exist in households/families... and of course, just how you inserted that feeling of everything being horribly wrong even tough we're seeing it from the perspective of someone who doesn't quite grasp that yet.