Fantastic work on this! Thanks for sharing!

This is such a masterpiece! To be honest, I was never really interested in the Akatsuki members in canon for two reasons: 1) I don't know their background so they're like strangers to me 2) They don't scare me like Orochimaru or Hisoka(the creepy badasses). But your story is different! You give them a backstory and a depth that make them interesing. Your characterizations of these characters are so fitting I can't imagine them any other way.

I enjoyed how this story gives us an idea of how a young, strong but unexpectedly vulnerable Sasori was manipulated by Orochimaru showing just how much of a manipulative bastard he really is. I am also glad learning about Deidara's feelings about being forced into the Akatsuki and how he interacted with Sasori early on.
We get an idea on the mentality the members have which is rarely explored and difficult to try explain.
Well written and well done! Thanks for the story!

Loneliness is like a cancer, so true

What a fascinating and beautifully written story about Sasori's and Orochimaru's early beginnings in the Akatsuki. Loved every word and I think you accurately caught very interesting aspects of their characters that you'd normally see in the anime or read about in the manga.
Sincerely,
Dawn

LOVE IT!

I don't usually give much thought to Oorochimaru, other than "gross bad guy," but I really like how you wrote him. His relationship with Sasori was touching, though it was sort of one-sided, and it was heartbreaking when he left. I also never thought about how Sasori's relationship with Oorochimaru could have affected his relationship with Deidara. This is all really interesting. I also like Itachi, showing up once in a while to be a cryptic badass. It's well-written, of course, as always, and I really enjoyed reading it. I'm excited for the sequels. Thanks!

Is Sasori trying to do the same thing to Deidara that Orochimaru did to him?

This story was so, so great. A wonderful look into Sasori and Orochimaru's partnership. To be honest, I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this because I wasn't previously as interested in them as characters, but it was written so beautifully that this is now all my head canon. Just so wonderfully done. I think you capture their personalities so well in all of their little movements and phrases. Orochimaru is a beautiful disaster. I additionally really enjoyed the Sasori and Deidara dynamic. I loved this. Thank you for sharing with us.

I am getting myself prepared for Zero Hour with the two prequels. My body is ready.

This was my first fic which focused on Sasori and Orochimaru's past comradeship. This was a mighty long read. I think it was really interesting to see SasorI try and play Orochimaru's game.
To me, Orochimaru is a villain I was never able to take seriously for unknown reasons; yet most around him are cautious, and I never really could grasp why. In all honesty I still really don't up to this day.
I was slightly taken aback about how deep you portrayed the two's relationship - mostly about the trust Sasori had for the elder of the two. It never really occurred to me since in my head Sasori seems to have no sort of emotional ability. He's sort of a complex and simple character like that at the same time.

Most think that Deidara is naive and far from being a genius, but he can prove people wrong. It's almost sad that Sasori had lost the ability to trust or show his real face to others after Orochimaru's betreyal.

Now, on to the next!

This is the second time I've read this story and I have to say: It's brilliant. Especially the portrayal of Orochimaru, Sasori and Deidara's character, but also everybody else, no matter how short their appearence, is spot-on and I believe I have seldomly read something that was so intriguing in the psychological departement.

My favorite part is the part in which Deidara refuses to play the game by simply standing up to his own beliefs. What a painful reminder that Sasori could have done the same, but at the same time couldn't.

Thank you very much for this deep insight into personalities that remain shallow in canon. This and the sequel have become my head-canon now.

Now that is some messed up shit... This is really good... I am definately going to read the sequels...

...definitely reading the sequel.

I love the characterization here of the whole Akatsuki. I loved your Orochimaru, I feel like he popped out of the manga for me here. Deidara and Sasori too. Please continue writing more. :)

This was so good! Ermahgerd! Keep writing writer :D