Me as a writer? I'm a lazy, procrastinating bum. And I'm also in school. That should explain sufficiently why any chapters have not/will not be(en) out for the past/next few days/weeks/months/years/decades/centuries. So basically, if I manage to get a new chapter or story out, then yay. If not, then please don't hunt me down and slaughter me in painful ways.

To explain a few points:

On the subject of yaoi, I'll agree with anyone that says that twelve year old children engaging in such practices is most likely the fantasies of sasuke fangirls or sick twisted individuals.

On Sasuke: I can't say I like Sasuke. I really can't. To an extent, I suppose I see where he's coming from. Dead parents, crazy seal on body, madmen that want you dead, and people after you solely for something you had no control over. Actually, that's funny. There's someone else in the series that has the same symptoms. I think the series was sort of, oh, I don't know, named after him.

So fine, call Naruto an exception. He's too good to be true! That's why the series was named after him in the first place. Okay, I agree. But let's examine Sasuke again. Romantically, he's a failure. For someone who supposedly wants to revive his clan single-handedly(and that's a LOT of babies he needs to convince his wife to have), he sure isn't working too hard to win the affections of anyone. Sakura's practically all over him. He barely even tries to be approachable most of the time. How's he gonna revive his clan? Go to a sperm bank?

As a friend, he's a failure. Throughout the entire series, one point has been emphasized on over and over. Those who don't take care of their comrades are trash. Naruto lives by this code. Kakashi bases his entire Genin exam on this code. Even Shikamaru, who could barely be bothered to take care of himself, knows that this is a very important point. And Sasuke? Rams his arm through his 'best friend' to attempt to get Mangekyou, to further his revenge.

As a Shinobi, he's a failure. He's overdependant on three things. The sharingan, the Uchiha name, and the cursed seal. The Sharingan he employs for far too many fights. While it is a useful tool for picking up taijutsu and ninjutsu, It stands to reason that since he's essentially 'perfecting' each technique with no effort, the chakra control, chakra increase, and physical conditioning that come from practicing a jutsu over and over are lost. His overdependancy on the Uchiha name is shown in various parts of the plot. The respect given him simply because he is an Uchiha. The sympathy from the villagers because of the massacre, and the extra training and expectation given from all his teachers because they think he's destined to do great things. The cursed seal speaks for itself. By relying on another person for his source of power, he will find himself in quite a bit of a dilemma when his source is cut off. Whether this be by Orochimaru's death, or cutting him off to prove a point, does not matter. fact is, that abusing the seal is bad. Not to mention that it also has unknown properties that may or may not allow Orochimaru to do more than just draw out his power. Perhaps it will command his total obedience, or allow Orochimaru to kill him instantaneously, like the Hyuuga seals. In any case, Sasuke's dependancy on these things makes him ultimately weaker as a shinobi.

On the subject of pairings:

I disagree with SasuSaku, regardless of how well it's written, simply because I just don't see it happening. I've tried reading it, and it's always just left me uncomfortable, because this doesn't seem like the Sasuke we've seen for the entire series.

I disagree with NaruHina because of the way the majority of them is written. It's unfortunate that Hinata makes practically the best replacement girlfriend ever, because most people abuse that, and the fact that Sakura hardly ever gives Naruto the time of day, and throw Naruto and Hinata together in yet another crapfic. Hinata's a great character, and totally deserves to be loved by Naruto, but Naruto has to choose her OVER Sakura when Sakura finally realises that Naruto's a great guy and decides to try loving him, in order for Naruto to not look and feel like a Sakura cast-off. Hinata doesn't deserve to be a replacement girlfriend, so the only naruhina that I would respect and read is if Sakura and Hinata both realise they like Naruto and act on it. None of that 'Naruto realizes Sakura treats him like crap and gives up on her' trash. He'll never just wake up one day and give up on Sakura, or be put off by one thing she says. Nothing will be 'the last straw' for him, because contrary to normal characters, this is Naruto, and he's the epitome of 'persevere and succeed'.

While I don't particularly hate NegiTenten, it's incredibly overdone and ya'll better start writing something new to keep me interested.

IrukaAnko and IrukaShizune for life!

Shikamaru and either Temari or Ino makes sense, I suppose. Chouji and Ino also make sense, simply because Chouji's just so cool.

Ino, contrary to Hinata, would be a perfect partner for cast-off!Naruto. If you MUST have Sakura treat him like absolute crap, consider a possible NaruIno pairing. Unfortunately, since this is a non-canon pairing, you'd have to really make this the main couple, or at least focus on them a crapload. Character development is very important for this pairing.

Oh, and Sulking!Lee is cute. Really. Have you seen the anime episode right before he's chosen to fight Gaara in the prelims? and if there's any girl out there that can drive people to sulk, it's... Ino. And that's the crack pairing of the day, LeeIno. I challenge anyone to write a halfway decent LeeIno story. Just holler at me when you're finished.