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Some Naruto recs for your Sunday. Warning: The further down the list you go, the more disturbing the fics get.
Kunoichi Means
A bit on gen on the girls, because they don't get enough love.
Idealism
Daddy!Iruka.
Knockout
"Her third attempt to bust through a brick wall fractures two metacarpals in her right hand. Sakura doesn't cry, or even curse at the pain; she simply molds her chakra to mend the breaks—never miss an opportunity for practice—and replaces her bloodied glove with a clean one."
I love the Sakura voice in this, how she's building herself into something stronger.
Five People Sakura Punches
"You really are pathetic, she tells herself, as an experiment.
And some quiet unknown voice says in return, No matter how many people say it, sometimes it's just an excuse.
Everyone knows that Haruno Sakura is a pathetic ninja, just like everyone used to know that Uzumaki Naruto was a dangerous freak, and just like everyone now knows that Uchiha Sasuke should never be spoken of; is as good as dead; is never coming back."
I think this fic should be required reading for every writer who thinks about writing Sakura. Hell, I think someone should translate this fic and force-read it to Kishimoto. It has the perfect voice - it shows Sakura's will and strength without making her some random action girl.
He Left A Weapon
"There is a strange sort of comfort in not being there when it happens. By the time Jiraiya hears of his protégé’s death, the Yondaime Hokage has been dead for twenty-three days."
Even the kindest, bravest actions can be looked at cynically, and I love how this author writes Jiraiya's weariness and bitterness.
Denouement
"It seems as though no one in the world is left who remembers the Sannin as humans, connected to other humans by bonds of blood -- he never hears Tsunade's family name anymore, nor Orochimaru's; they're famous, well-loved, well-reviled, no one needs both names to recognize them -- and he is content to let his own family ties be lost to the flow of time and circumstance in the same fashion. It's not as if there's any need to keep the name; his family, what there was of it, has long since passed on."
Fandom loves 'so and so is secretly related to so-and-so!' but when it works, it works. This works, too, but I love it more for the awesome Jiraiya voice, and the fact that the author treats Jiraiya's writing as psychologically telling (before it became canon that this was so.)
Rosemary for Remembrance
"There are certain established rules of decorum in a house where people can see through walls. When you have eyes that can see everything, it’s surprising how much time you spend not looking."
This is a multi-chapter fic that is so worth the time. It's Hinata and Neji and House Hyuuga, and the author's writing is so evocative and lyrical that there are times reading that I felt like someone had their first in my chest. Also, this fic has times where it's incredibly disturbing, so be warned.
Butterfly Knot
"Temari realizes she's in love when she starts to say things she didn't mean to say."
I'm a fan of sandcest (but why does no one write Temari/Gaara) and Temari/Shikamaru, and this is both. But makes it really sand out (besides the quality of the writing) is that it has someone in an incestuous relationship and then moving on to another one, which you don't normally see.
Nymph
"It shouldn't mean anything. I suppose it can be described as flirting, as some kind of advance of that nature, but it doesn't mean anything. She is a naturally flirty young girl and I would be a fool to read anything beyond simple playful banter. But she looks at me out of the corner of her eye as she puts the dishes in the sink, and when she catches me looking, she gives me a secretive smile as if there is something going on that neither of us are saying."
I am a totally sucker for a well done unreliable narrator, and in this fic, you don't get any more unreliable than Kakashi's thoughts on Sakura. It's a credit to the writing that I spend most of the fic trying to parse what is actually happening; where Kakashi is correct is his beliefs, and where he is clearly deluded.
Kunoichi Means
A bit on gen on the girls, because they don't get enough love.
Idealism
Daddy!Iruka.
Knockout
"Her third attempt to bust through a brick wall fractures two metacarpals in her right hand. Sakura doesn't cry, or even curse at the pain; she simply molds her chakra to mend the breaks—never miss an opportunity for practice—and replaces her bloodied glove with a clean one."
I love the Sakura voice in this, how she's building herself into something stronger.
Five People Sakura Punches
"You really are pathetic, she tells herself, as an experiment.
And some quiet unknown voice says in return, No matter how many people say it, sometimes it's just an excuse.
Everyone knows that Haruno Sakura is a pathetic ninja, just like everyone used to know that Uzumaki Naruto was a dangerous freak, and just like everyone now knows that Uchiha Sasuke should never be spoken of; is as good as dead; is never coming back."
I think this fic should be required reading for every writer who thinks about writing Sakura. Hell, I think someone should translate this fic and force-read it to Kishimoto. It has the perfect voice - it shows Sakura's will and strength without making her some random action girl.
He Left A Weapon
"There is a strange sort of comfort in not being there when it happens. By the time Jiraiya hears of his protégé’s death, the Yondaime Hokage has been dead for twenty-three days."
Even the kindest, bravest actions can be looked at cynically, and I love how this author writes Jiraiya's weariness and bitterness.
Denouement
"It seems as though no one in the world is left who remembers the Sannin as humans, connected to other humans by bonds of blood -- he never hears Tsunade's family name anymore, nor Orochimaru's; they're famous, well-loved, well-reviled, no one needs both names to recognize them -- and he is content to let his own family ties be lost to the flow of time and circumstance in the same fashion. It's not as if there's any need to keep the name; his family, what there was of it, has long since passed on."
Fandom loves 'so and so is secretly related to so-and-so!' but when it works, it works. This works, too, but I love it more for the awesome Jiraiya voice, and the fact that the author treats Jiraiya's writing as psychologically telling (before it became canon that this was so.)
Rosemary for Remembrance
"There are certain established rules of decorum in a house where people can see through walls. When you have eyes that can see everything, it’s surprising how much time you spend not looking."
This is a multi-chapter fic that is so worth the time. It's Hinata and Neji and House Hyuuga, and the author's writing is so evocative and lyrical that there are times reading that I felt like someone had their first in my chest. Also, this fic has times where it's incredibly disturbing, so be warned.
Butterfly Knot
"Temari realizes she's in love when she starts to say things she didn't mean to say."
I'm a fan of sandcest (but why does no one write Temari/Gaara) and Temari/Shikamaru, and this is both. But makes it really sand out (besides the quality of the writing) is that it has someone in an incestuous relationship and then moving on to another one, which you don't normally see.
Nymph
"It shouldn't mean anything. I suppose it can be described as flirting, as some kind of advance of that nature, but it doesn't mean anything. She is a naturally flirty young girl and I would be a fool to read anything beyond simple playful banter. But she looks at me out of the corner of her eye as she puts the dishes in the sink, and when she catches me looking, she gives me a secretive smile as if there is something going on that neither of us are saying."
I am a totally sucker for a well done unreliable narrator, and in this fic, you don't get any more unreliable than Kakashi's thoughts on Sakura. It's a credit to the writing that I spend most of the fic trying to parse what is actually happening; where Kakashi is correct is his beliefs, and where he is clearly deluded.
Also, this fic has one of the hottest hand jobs I have ever read.
Also, by the end, the person I sympathized most with was Tsunade, who is going to have to deal with the consequences of this, and has to balance both what actually happened and how crazy Kakashi (and possibly Sakura) are against there value to Konoha.
Also, by the end, the person I sympathized most with was Tsunade, who is going to have to deal with the consequences of this, and has to balance both what actually happened and how crazy Kakashi (and possibly Sakura) are against there value to Konoha.
no subject
The only one on the list I think I’ve read is Five people Sakura punches, which is a nice read, and I’d highly suggest reading the rest of the authors fanfics, because the way she writes is absolutely beautiful. Even if she does waste it on Naruto/Sasuke much of the time. I’d trade a limb to be able to write that well.
Anyway, the rest look good. I’ll have to make time to read them.
no subject
And I read some of her other stuff and I agree - damn shame she's into Sasuke/Naruto. I used to run into that all the freakin time with Saiyuki. Fantastic authors writing pairings I can't stand.
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no subject
What made you decide to read it?
no subject
I also love Hinata. And I think Naruto is unfairly mean in how he thinks of her.
I think part of why Sakura's crush on Sasuke bugs the hell out of me, is because she's so vocal about it. That's how you can tell two things - one, Kishimoto doesn't know shit about women, especially pre-pubescent girls, and two, she's not all that serious about it. If it were handled more like Toph's crush on Sokka, which I think is a way more realistic 12-year-old crush, it would be pretty cool.
Okay. Reality switch. Bryke gets to write Naruto now. And then they can get to work on every other shounen manga. Starting with Yu-gi-oh!, and working their way up.
no subject
And the Chuunin arc is one of the best - Kishimoto actually uses his ensemble cast, and it's fantastic. It's arguable the best section of the manga. (And let me know when you get to the Sakura fight and the Hinata fight, because we will have stuff to talk about.)
I also love Hinata. And I think Naruto is unfairly mean in how he thinks of her.
Naruto comes across as a little mean, but I don't think it's deliberate. I think he just doesn't understand her, but he certainly bears her no ill will. (Wait until the Hinata fight - you'll get to one of the few moments when I genuinely like him.)
I think part of why Sakura's crush on Sasuke bugs the hell out of me, is because she's so vocal about it. That's how you can tell two things - one, Kishimoto doesn't know shit about women, especially pre-pubescent girls, and two, she's not all that serious about it. If it were handled more like Toph's crush on Sokka, which I think is a way more realistic 12-year-old crush, it would be pretty cool.
Actually, with Sakura's personality type, the fact that she's vocal about her feelings is... basically the only redeeming feature of that crush thing. I have MASSIVE respect for girls who just ask the guys they're interested in out, and while Sakura crosses that line and then goes back to 'get a clue girl!' because she doesn't take no for an answer, I do respect that she's no just pining.
Okay. Reality switch. Bryke gets to write Naruto now. And then they can get to work on every other shounen manga. Starting with Yu-gi-oh!, and working their way up.
That would be so awesome it hurts to think. Like the massive cast gender switch, where Naruto is a hyper genko girl, Sasuke is a brooding chick with a tragic past and a thirst for revenge, Sakura is the pretty boy healer crushing on her, and Kakashi the badass, comfortable with her sexuality teacher.
God, I want that manga.
no subject
Well, another factor is my fifteen-year-old friend. I figured he would stop trying to get me into every other shounen if I got into one myself. Now I think he's gotten sick of me talking about the manga, ironically. Good. I get sick of him forcing me to read Air Gear. And don't feel guilty - it's not as if I haven't been in a Pit like this before, with Yu Yu Hakusho..or Rurouni Kenshin..or the aforementioned manga that starts as a boy with growth hormone deficiency and a giant gold necklace possessed by a spirit who causes him to kill all who get in his way, that later became a wildly popular children's show.
And the Chuunin arc is one of the best - Kishimoto actually uses his ensemble cast, and it's fantastic. It's arguable the best section of the manga. (And let me know when you get to the Sakura fight and the Hinata fight, because we will have stuff to talk about.)
So far, I'm where Naruto gets eaten by a giant snake, and Sasuke and Sakura are being attacked by Orochimaru. When designing him, did Kishimoto think, "Hmm..I need something creepy..GENE SIMMONS! He's creepy!"? Because you have to admit, the similarities are bizarre.
Actually, with Sakura's personality type, the fact that she's vocal about her feelings is... basically the only redeeming feature of that crush thing. I have MASSIVE respect for girls who just ask the guys they're interested in out, and while Sakura crosses that line and then goes back to 'get a clue girl!' because she doesn't take no for an answer, I do respect that she's no just pining.
Okay, I wrote what I said before at 2 in the morning, and now, in the middle of the day, I'm a bit less emphatic about it. I see exactly what you mean, and I think part of it is because I almost ruined a couple of friendships by admitting my crushes back when I was 12, so now I have this thing where I stay up at night worrying about it and lecturing myself about how it's just a crush, I'm completely incompatible with this person, and besides, once I stop spending so much time around them, it will go away. And no, I don't think Sakura should do that, because it's unhealthy, but admitting her feelings are one thing, and harping on them incessantly to the point that it becomes a major aspect to her personality, I feel is really detrimental to that character. But considering you spoke about how you believe she's over it by the current point of the series, I understand things will change.
That would be so awesome it hurts to think. Like the massive cast gender switch, where Naruto is a hyper genko girl, Sasuke is a brooding chick with a tragic past and a thirst for revenge, Sakura is the pretty boy healer crushing on her, and Kakashi the badass, comfortable with her sexuality teacher.
God, I want that manga.
Oh, God. So do I. You know, in Sandman, there's a dream library where every book that was once dreamed of or imagined is found. But yeah, that would be great, with the Hokage as a wise and cool Old Lady, and..and Haku..would get to be actually a girl? Or would be a boy who is really a girl? Or..something. But yes, Gender Switched Naruto would be much, much better. I still can't say I'd like Naruto if he was a Genki Girl, but I'd probably like him more. He would be like, Ninja!Sana Kurata.
no subject
Serves him right!
"Hmm..I need something creepy..GENE SIMMONS! He's creepy!"
I haven't actually thought of gene simmons, but you're right....
And no, I don't think Sakura should do that, because it's unhealthy, but admitting her feelings are one thing, and harping on them incessantly to the point that it becomes a major aspect to her personality, I feel is really detrimental to that character.
Oh, so true. And part of the reason I defend her, is that Sakura deserves SO. MUCH. BETTER. than she gets, so I really want to like her. I know, though, if she where transplanted into, say, Avatar, where you have girls all over the place who are written well (or even a show where they where written competently) my feelings would be much, much different.
You know, in Sandman, there's a dream library where every book that was once dreamed of or imagined is found.
I want to go there so badly.
But yes, Gender Switched Naruto would be much, much better. I still can't say I'd like Naruto if he was a Genki Girl, but I'd probably like him more. He would be like, Ninja!Sana Kurata.
See, I don't know how much more I'd like Naruto specifically but I know I that without it's skanky sexist issues, Naruto as a whole would be so. much. better.
no subject
Loved loved loved 'Nymph'...must mem this one :D
no subject
And I adore Nymph so much, just for how fucking disturbing and yet hot it is. Such a great Kakashi voice, and you can just hear him getting crazier and crazier, and then they're that point in the middle where you think maybe he's not, and then you'll listening to him explain this to the Hokage, and you'll like, 'Oh, sweetie, you are SO fucked in the head right now.'
Poor Tsunade. I bet she never regretted taking the job more than right then.