Senju Hashirama's dream to unify all of the warring clans of his country under one village remained just that; a dream. Generations later, the ninja world still consists of pure clan affiliation. Enacting peace through understanding has fallen to the side. A catalyst is needed for any kind of change to occur, and it is all found in a little boy... for better or for worse. AU.

Naruto was born with hair as red as his mother's, but with a face and intellect that paralleled his father, the Fourth Hokage. Will the revolution he brings be the world's salvation or destruction?

After the Black Rebellion, the world became a different place from what people knew it for. But in spite of that, there was still one who wished to change it for the better. This is the story of his renewed revolution...

Hinata has always been too shy and afraid to reveal herself to Naruto. But just before he returns to Konoha, she gets help from an unlikely source. Now she's got the guts to stake her claim, and she won't hide anymore.

Mizuki never got to shoot his mouth off at Naruto the night he took the Scroll of Seals. Other than skipping a half-manic monologue from him what exactly did this change for everyone's favorite blonde ninja? Who knows? Rated M for language/later events.

Jiraiya and Tsunade were supposed to be the ones to watch over Naruto. What if that responsibility fell to Orochimaru instead? How will this affect both of them, and others? How will it affect Konoha? Eventual NaruHinaHarem, good Orochimaru.

After an incident involving geass, Lelouch is plunged into a whole different world. While in this world, Lelouch encounters a resistance movement fighting against an oppressive empire. As a result, in order to survive and potentially return to his world, Lelouch must use his intellect along with the charisma of Zero to help the resistance movement achieve victory.

A near death experience under the hands of an angry mob changes Naruto's life forever. Now armed with a great power and having lost what made him who he was, he leaves Konoha to find purpose. However all isn't easy when you have a whole village and a criminal organisation bent on world domination looking for you. Where will his journey lead him? Slightly Cold! Rinnegan Naruto!

A fleeing spy attacks the Academy after Naruto has failed his second attempt at passing the Genin Exam. Naruto is the hero of the moment but for every heroic act there is a price to be paid. Chaper 36 Homeward Bound?

Naruto's age has passed him by as his time is over. Now he attempts to seek out a place for himself in the new world, and it's bigger than he ever figured it to be! Will be epic in length, NaruHarem

Kallen Kozuki is a 17 year old mage. She's been kicked out of two guilds and seen the fall of a third. She's come to Fiore's town of Loreon to meet a mage consultant that might help her with her inability to control her power, which leads her to have the opportunity to join the mage guild Knightmare Frame. AU for Code Geass Canon. Rated M for language and sexual stuff

Naruto is stolen from the village and left to die in a forest. He is found on deaths door by a civilian family, but what will happen when Naruto witnesses their Murder and is found by Jiraiya in the Ruins of his old home. Strong Naruto, Rinnegan Naruto, NarutoXOC

(New Chapter Posted) After discovering a long lost ancient forbidden master sealing technique created by a deceased clan leader and seal grandmaster of the Uzumaki clan, Jiraiya studies and tampers with it only for it to lead to unexpected results. NaruHina

Re-write of the Blue-Eyed Fox. As Naruto begins his three year training period, Jiraiya invites an unexpected person along for the ride. Follow them as they embark together for three years, and try not to kill one another. Smarter/stronger Naruto. Rated M for a good reason. Darker plot. No Harem. Good Itachi/Sasuke eventually.

Instead of being raised by Igneel, Natsu is raised by Acnologia. How will the world take it, as the Chaos Dragon Slayer emerges. Could be called OOC, but maybe not entirely. First of the "Acnologia raises Natsu" stories, I checked. Cover by Konoha's Flash.

Rokudaime Hokage Uchiha Sasuke is a man with nothing beyond duty to the dead. Yet when a second chance comes from the lips of a demon, his battles begin anew... EDITING.

Freed from her cage, Uzumaki Naruto sets out to show the world all that it takes for granted. Rated for safety. WARNING: FemNaruto, with eventual romantic relationships with male characters. Will remain unfinished. I DON'T WRITE HERE ANYMORE.

AU in a more modern urban setting. Will be EPIC in length. Things aren't as they appear in this world. With a normal life out of reach, can Naruto figure out the mysteries that surround his existence and survive long enough to cash in on the potentially lucrative (and dangerous) career path of the mercenary? ...Either way it beats actually working for a living. NarutoxFem. Kyuubi

Taught from a young age to fight for his village, Naruto thought he knew what combat was all about. In the chaotic world he now finds himself in it won't take long for him to find out that he has absolutely no idea. There are no heroes on the battlefield.

When Lelouch decided to stay in Britannia and become the Demon of Britannia, he did so to protect his sister. When Kallen assumed the mantle of Zero it was to avenge her family. And when the two meet on the battlefield that is Area 11, their struggles will culminate in a sweeping revolution that will consume the world. Book One of the Ice and Fire Trilogy

Indefinite babysitting duty was so not on Kakashi's list of things he wanted to do with his life.

Kakashi was a bit late to fill out a bit of paperwork, and Tetsuo manages to keep Naruto as his student and gain that year's Rookie of the Year and Top Kunoichi. With what he sees as a potential dream team, or at least one that won't drag Naruto down, he decides to prepare them for the Winter Chunin Exams that are coming up in two months. Diverges from First Try Chapter 11.

For Namikaze Minato, Yondaime Hokage, the day started out like any other. But then Jiraiya walked into his office with a teen that could have been Minato's clone and that bore the name of his vanished lover. His day just got very, very interesting. AU

WIP An unconscious Iruka forces Naruto to return to the academy for another year. It also marks the beginnings of a prank whose far-reaching consequences will shake Konoha to its foundations.

When Naruto is given a gift considered legendary even in a world where walking on water is a daily occurrence for some, will it lead him on a path towards peace or will the consequences of said gift leave a hole in his heart too large to fill?

Lelouch had been quite happy with his life. Sure they were living in obscurity, but he and Nunnally were safe. All of that changes however, when his identity is revealed and Lelouch is forced back into the fold of the Imperial family.

ANBU!Naruto. Drafted into ANBU at a young age, Naruto is guided to the path of a Captain. Leader of Team Sigma, the Hokage's Personal Guard, Naruto will lead his team and defend his Village to the best of his ability. Threats besiege the Land of Fire from all sides, and only Naruto stands before them...

A timeline branches wildly away from its proper alignment. Many things change, and yet others stay exactly the same. A thousand years into the divergence, ten-year-old Hinata befriends Naruto. Complete.

Hakuba's in the wrong place at the wrong time. He must be killed. The Black Organization takes measures to make sure the detective won't talk, but will that be enough or will there be one more little detective out on the streets?

The 99th Emperor Lelouch vi Britannia is in his eighties and now as he neers the end of his life he relives the events which led him to become emperor,a period in time when he was the charismatic,ruthless,invincible and enigmatic Zero the "Iron Prince".

Sex Education: Anko Mitarashi Style may have drawn to a close, but here are some stories from that year that haven't quite been told yet.

The day after a wild party to celebrate the end of the war against Madara, Naruto, the remaining Konoha 12 (and some guests) can't help but wonder what happened last night as they wake up in a different Konoha. Time-Travel. Rated for language, alcohol and just to be sure.

Written and Dedicated to the Memory of Monty Oum. On Hold until the end of Volume 3.

A/N: This fic is finished and is being revamped. The first chapter of the new version can be found on my profile under The Cicatrices Beneath the Veil: Revamped. -Sasuke and Naruko are friends. Sasuke wants to be more. Naruko has a traumatic past that gets in the way of that 'more'. So proceeds long ass courting process. Scars, drama, pain, feels, and trigger warnings. Just saying

After the events of Zero Requiem Lelouch goes to Soul Society and aims to atone for his sins by becoming a Soul Reaper, but old habits die hard and the ex-prince soon finds himself in a live chess game attempting to save the after life from a mad man. No yaoi. This is a Shared Universe of Code Geass and Bleach so the canon facts that change or are inconsistent are because of this

At the age of 10, Naruto is an honary ANBU member, and soon to be Fifth Hokage, but when his last mission goes wrong, he quits the life of a shinobi. When Konoha is on the edge of destruction, will he rise up once more? Or will he watch as Konoha falls?

I decided to try my spin on things this time focusing on the relationship between father and son. Ichigo is dealing with finding out of the truth about his father's Shinigami lineage and he isn't handling the news very well. Curious? AU/OOC/HEA story not canon by any means!

Sun-dappled glades, ash-coated worlds: a retelling of Majora's Mask.

"I need you to help me with something," Sasuke said calmly, staring Sakura straight in the eye. She smiled and held out her hand for him to take. She knew he wouldn't take it, but the gesture had to mean something to her former teammate. "Whatever it is, Sasuke, I'll help you." "I need you..." He turned his head away and folded his arms. "To help me rebuild the Uchiha clan."

Naruto has always carried his father's legacy, in more ways than one. When an attempt to replicate the Fourth's greatest technique sends him to times long passed, he must take up that legacy, far more directly than he ever dreamed.

With the completion of Zero Requiem, he expected that he would finally be able to rest with the rise of a new world from the ashes of the old. Instead, he finds himself thrust into one with many of the very same problems he solved as part of a clan damned by its greed and hatred. Now he is left with a new decision: Should he destroy this world as well in order to create it anew?

Iruka takes Mizuki's shuriken to the back in place of Naruto. Thinking Iruka to be dead, Naruto loses control and prepares to unleash the Kyuubi, however before he can tear off the seal, he is stopped by the hand of his hero. The Yondaime Hokage... On Hiatus temporarily during editing process. Will be continued shortly.

Team 7's failure to pass the first stage of the Chunin exams leads to the fabled Sharingan slipping through Orochimaru's fingers, prompting the Snake Sannin to mark Hinata Hyuuga with the cursed seal. While Team 7 attempt to make up for not advancing to the next stage, Hinata has to deal with the consequences of bearing Orochimaru's mark.

Sasuke's death in wave changes Naruto's entire future. Now wielding one of the legendary doujutsu Naruto struggles to find a new path to greatness. Watch as the child of prophecy blazes a new trail towards his fate.

Naruto is determined to bring Sasuke back to Konoha. However, someone he didn't expect wants to help. NarutoxTayuya.

Scrapped: Being Re-Written As Seeing Red.

Hiccup, weakest viking ever known on the island of Berk. Even as a 10 year old boy he couldn't lift an axe even if his life depends on it. Can he overcome his weaknesses or forever be known as Useless? I know, summary sucks... Best if you read the story then... The sequel to this story is "Love is for the Weak"

They were trained to be soldiers & assassins. Their work is never done be it war or peace. They are the shadows of hell who ensure the peace of our heaven. But sometimes the lights of heaven cast darker shadows than the fires of hell.

History often hinges on a moment. What if young Lelouch avoided the fate of exile and remained with the royal family? All roles become reversed. The tale of Lelouch's quest for power and vengeance as the Black Prince of the Empire.

An accident bestows a completely new Kekkai Genkai on an orphaned boy, a bloodlimit that nobody could have foreseen...

A girl made to kill and destroy has rebeled from what she was made to do. Helping her biological parents instead of eliminating them. How will the world change from one being who was never meant to live and whose geass is too powerful for even her to control. A Warrior, a Dragon, and the Daughter of Zero.

There's something to be said for keeping the past as it was - makes it predictable, malleable. Naruto never bought those arguments. He's always been the one to power through adversity rather than wait it out, so why would now be any different? He'll do what has to be done, even if he steps on a few butterflies along the way.

Pein's final jutsu gave life back to those he slayed in Konoha. However, it also brought back someone who never expected to live again. Rising from the ashes, how will Minato Namikaze readapt to life and the war he is flung into?

A twist of fate Kagome never returned. Sesshomaru discovers his brother has met a horrible fate. A feeling of regret allows him to undo the harm he's done. With aid from allies both old and new, and some unexpected help. He sets off to rewrite the past.

Naruto has failed the third attempt at his genin exam. Mizuki offers to pass him if he steals the Forbidden Scroll from the Hokage Tower. Things go wrong and Naruto is captured in the act. Chapter 25 A Mission to Sand Part 3 Resolutions

Four different people from four different time-lines travel to the past for various reasons, and end up in the same time-line upon which they wreak havoc. Follow the adventures of the "time traveling" Naruto, Kakashi, Jiraiya, and Tenzo.

Danzo's plan for the assassination of the Hokage was almost flawless. To bad he didn't take six neglected children who ran away the night of the murder into account.

The Saigo no Getsuga Tensho was too strong, and instead of simply losing his powers, something else happens to Ichigo - something no one could have expected. He won't be the only one affected either. The Elemental Countries will never be the same again. AU.

Eight years after the beginning of the invasion, Japan is still steadfastly at war with its Britannian invaders thanks to the skilful leadership of Genbu Kururugi and the skills of a pair of boys with the potential to turn the war around.

Tears of liquid silver will be shed as Naruto struggles to master a new Bloodline Limit that surpasses all, even the Rin'negan. Look into his eyes, the shattered mirrors of the soul. AU, Epic Length, pairings undecided.

What if something made Naruto the dead-last that everyone sees him as? What if he really wasn't as weak as he seemed? The true Naruto, unleashed upon the shinobi world! AU Story starts at Invasion of Konoha arc and continues onwards.

AU. Born in a world plagued by death and governed by a tyrant, Natsu Dragneel held the power to restore Fiore to what it once was. When he met Lucy Heartfilia, he promised to always protect her. However, before embarking on the journey to complete his training, he made a decision that would change everything... Performing a magic binding... -full summary inside-

Sasuke wasn't the only one to survive the Uchiha massacre, his twin sister survived too… and her presence shifts the dynamic of Team 7 and the 'Rookie 9.' Action, romance, pain, and comedy ahead. Not your average twinfic. Narutocentric. PermanentHiatus. Remaining outline posted.

One of Konoha's greatest enemies is long dead, but Akatsuki lives on, and a new threat to peace is rising in the shinobi nations. The question is... who are the heroes, and who are the villains? AU. Follows One Small Kindness.

AU: A son of two clans, student of Minato, his actions will reshape the Ninja World. Rated T for violence and language

It has been three years since Team 7 broke apart and each member went their own way. Now, the Akatsuki are on the move, as is Orochimaru, and things become more complicated as problems at home arise and threaten to distract everyone from their duties at a most critical time. Sequel to First Try: Team 7

The adventures of Momochi Zabuza House Husband, and his faithful assistant Haku. Drabbles and oneshots, not in any particular order.

Six year old Haruno Sakura was short, skinny, and high-pitched to a painful degree when she could be goaded into raising her voice. The twenty-two year old Haruno Sakura was cursing her younger self. Still, she had a whole life to get ready for. Again. AU, done really, really, really slowly. [DISCONTINUED DON'T HURT YOURSELF BY STARTING TO READ IT]

In the aftermath of Zero Requiem, a murder mystery in reverse. From the start, the assassin is known, and the victim is willing. What, then, could possibly go wrong?

Team 5 Oneshot: In the early days when the team was starting to come together, Naruto finds a D-Rank he likes and Tetsuo finds a reason to teach other than making his wife happy.

Due to a quirk of fate, Naruto passes the Academy Graduation Exam on his first try. Because of this, his life takes an interesting turn before he joins Team 7 after Kakashi poaches him from his sensei.

-WIP- Naruto always knew he'd had parents once, but came to realize that of the musing he'd done, he'd never imagined what they looked like. Now he has to get home without giving away that he's technically not who everyone thinks he is—the son of Konoha's beloved Yondaime Hokage. Yet between his own heart and the Fourth's intelligence, it seems that won't be as easy as he'd hoped.

Follow Lelouch vi Britannia's rise from the beginning. Marianne does not die, and Japan is not invade in 2010. It starts a little slow, but really gets rolling after chapter 15.

Kami wants a soul back from shinigami. One angel makes a bet with the death god. If she wins against the god at poker, Shinigami has to resurect the soul. A little boy would be more than happy.

Back when the KID first flew through the night on his wings of white, he was joined by another fellow phantom who flew on wings of black. Now with the new KID, will he return to the sky?

Lucy has left Magnolia and Fairy Tail behind and she had absolutely no intention of going back. - Eventual NaLu. Main story now complete; the five chapter epilogue is now complete.

A seal had managed to defeat and imprison the Kyuubi no Kitsune, the strongest demon to ever exist. It was just ink on paper-or a stomach, as the case may be-and it held so much power… 'Yeah,' Naruto decided 'I gotta get me some of that.'

A post "Raven Chaser" story. Because "The Raven Chaser" opened many doors…and Kaito worries. Animeverse/Movieverse.

Anko Mitarashi has been chosen to teach at the Ninja Academy for the next year. And to the academy's dismay, she's teaching Sex Ed! Complete

Back by popular demand! Artemis's feelings for Holly are exposed in his bold actions. How will Holly respond, and what will become of their future? Is it possible for a human to be with a fairy? Rated M for serious lemons.

Uchiha Itachi.Missing Nin, Akatsuki member, mass murderer.He has power, and a lot of it.But after an encounter with the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki, he begins to wonder what the point of it all is.What good is power if you've no good reason to use it? NaruxYugito

What if by a chance of fate an unwitting Prince Clovis had stumbled upon Lelouch and Nunnally before the Shinjuku incident ever happened? They say the future is not set in stone but destiny will not be cheated. Chapters 1-10 re-reeditied, more to come soon.

On a night where his dream is put in jeopardy, Naruto must show how exceptional of a ninja he is by bringing an entirely new facet to the world of shinobi. Eventual NaruXOC OCxFemHaku. Will be EPIC in length. *Warning: First Story Written*

Cursed mere hours after his birth to wander the world as a Kitsune Hanyou, Naruto Uzumaki is forced to find light in a cruel world. Is it possible to live life as a half-demon and earn the acceptance of those around you. If so, is love also possible?

A wiser and more experienced Naruto is forced onto a team he hadn't wanted to join in the first place. However, as they say, "Those who break the rules are trash. Those who abandon their teammates are worse than trash.". Sequel to First Try.

Uchiha Mikoto takes the hand of an outcast child, and with it rewrites the destiny of her clan. AU. *SEQUEL UP*

An AU of Inu no Taisho and his family. From his own father and siblings to his sons, how does a powerful daiyokai deal with enemies that threaten his family. Note: to clarify relationship pairings InuyashaXKagome, SesshomaruX?

Naruto makes a good shinobi, but a lousy weapon. Danzo has finally managed to connive Naruto into Root, or so he believes. Naruto, who will now be within reach of his emotionally inept, traumatized, fanatical devotees. What on earth was he thinking?

NaruHina Devastated by murder and a dark secret in Konoha, Naruto fled the village and country, but with him came a quiet girl from his childhood.

AU, no bijuu, follows "Fox Moon". Naruto has secrets and Sasuke wants to please his father. Oh, and there's Orochimaru, plotting Kitsune, unfortunate werewolves, assorted demons, mysterious elders, simmering tensions, attempted murder, unhappy mothers...

If a situation can go both ways, it will. At every crossroads, a new universe is formed, and a person will always take the road not taken, even if they never see themselves do it. Tsunade makes a different choice, and there are consequences.

During the SAZ rally, Zero asked to have a private talk with Euphie, but thanks to the idiocy of two spies, their said talk was broadcast live to the entire world. "Such language, princess. Do you kiss Suzaku with that mouth?"

Hueco Mundo; home of vicious and horrendous souls called Hollows. Then HE became one of them. Naruto will prove that even as a Hollow, life is determined by one's own beliefs, and shake the foundation of the spiritual world as a result. Naruto/Bleach fic

Sasuke and Naruto become friends at a young age, but will Naruto's paranoia and mental instability draw Sasuke down into madness, or will Sasuke's own demons bring them both into the dark? Not yaoi

Team 5 oneshot: After losing the traveling funds on their first C rank, Team 5 is forced to recoup their losses in a most creative manner. The things Naruto is willing to go through for his teammates...

Thirteen years after the Kyuubi attack, the village is undergoing change from the appearances of an unknown assassin, and the mystery surrounding one Naruto Uzumaki. Join him as he makes his way to become the strongest ninja in Konoha.NarutoHarem

HIATUS Even after death, Fate had an offer, and with that offer came a twist,now Naruto is thrown in a world where he never existed, in a body that belonged to the very person who had killed him.Waking from a coma, welcome the new Uchiha. Pairing undecided

-SasuSaku- -Complete- It was almost time, Orochimaru was going to take his body as a vessel. He hated being used...he refused to be used. With that thought, he took the kunai in his hand and slashed across his eyes.

Itachi's just died...and woken up thirteen again. The only problem is his thirteen year-old self doesn't like the idea of sharing his mind and body with his clan's killer. How hard would you fight to save your family from yourself? ::AU::COMPLETE::

Team seven each has a sannin counterpart from whom they learn powerful lessons and ninja skills. However, these students also take something else from their teachers: old vices and legendary bad habits.

Hakuba's gotten into a case and can't go to the police for help. When Kid shows up he must decide whether to accept the thief's help or fight a losing battle alone.

Kagome has a weird birth mark on her arm that may be connected with her Higurashi history. Kagome, a hanyou? IYxYYH

The meeting between the council and Sarutobi did not go as planned.... how will Naruto survive growing up without the help of the Third?

After coming to her rescue, Kallen is given a chance to show her feelings for Lelouch. How will that confession bear on his already tremulous relationship with C.C., who has, unbeknownst to him, claimed him for herself? Lemon, erotica, 18 and over.

Sequel to Time and Again. Naruto has gone back in time from a war ravaged future and has a chance to set things right, but despite his efforts things seem to be worse rather than better. Akatsuki, Orochimaru, Danzo... some jinchuriki have no luck at all.

A conspiracy within Konoha leads to a near fatal encounter for Naruto on the night of the Genin Exams. As he copes, his team struggles to work together and live up to the Hokage’s expectations.

After receiving a time travel jutsu as payment for a mission, the original four members of Team 7 each get a chance to go back to one event in their life and change it. Surely they will use such an awesome power responsibly...right? Don't count on it.

AU. What if Naruto had been raised by Kakashi his entire life and how would raising Naruto change Kakashi's life as well? NarutoHinata, KakashiAnko later on.

A six year old Sasuke wakes from a nightmare...but Itachi wouldn't really kill the clan, right? As for Naruto, well, maybe he won't be so alone...this time around.

AU. Naruto is able, driven and a true ninja genius. What will he accomplish? What will he fail to accomplish? An intelligent, genjutsu wielding, quasi-super-but-try-it, leader Naruto epic. Features strategy, realistic combat and subterfuge. **Naruto/?**

AU/AR, mid-Chuunin Exams on. Orochimaru fails to seal the Kyuubi's chakra in the Forest of Death. Naruto interferes with Sasuke's curse mark. And what's wrong with the Hokage? Read and review, please!

He's an untalented hyperactive boy and she's a timid, broken girl... or at least that's what they've led everyone to believe. But there are other secrets far deadlier than their own lurking beneath Konoha's streets. Strong Naruto, Strong Hinata- NaruHina

COMPLETE! AU. Morino Ibiki was having a bad day. Then he met the container of the Kyuubi. Let's see how our favorite jinchuuriki ends up now. Epic length.

Sequel is Posted! AU What happens when it's the other way around, when Kagome is the demoness, and InuYasha the human who's come through time to her world. And it's not just a switch of roles either! You'll have to read and find out! A little slow at the beginning, but it picks up later through the story. Read & Review please!

In the year's following Konoha's fall during the Sound Leaf war, the remnants have struggled to survive. After achieving vengeance against the Otokage, Uzumaki Naruto is given an unexpected second chance. A shame he didn't get a choice in the matter. Unfinished.

AU, post-Valley of the End. What if Kakashi made it to the valley in time? What if the events of the Kyuubi's defeat played out differently? How would things turn out then? Yondaime lives! Please read and review!

When Charles Di Britannia's decision makes Lelouch disown his own country, others follow for other reasons. Will they join the young prince? What's a Knight to do in order to keep his vows? Will it be rebellion? Or revolution?

Meet Uzumaki Naruto, the number one prankster ninja. He lives in Konoha...and has a dark secret so large that NOBODY knows, not even Naruto.

Every week the most prominent citizens of Konohagakure gather for a game of poker. This time there are three new players... two kunoichi and a six year old Naruto! cowritten with Rift120

After escaping tragic pasts, young Naruto, Gaara and Haku form an eccentric but powerful team and forever change Konoha. While confronting adversity and enemies they choose to transform a forlorn past into a bright future. AU Note: The story continues in a sequel! Harbinger, written by tigerowl.

Naruto and Sasuke stumble across a strange object in the woods. It lets out a sudden burst of power and Naruto is knocked unconscious. He wakes up to find everything is wrong. Is it genjutsu? A concussion? Hallucinations? Or something else?

He woke up in the middle of the night, the Ichiraku was closed, and he was alone. This was the very least of his problems because the villagers see something he dosen't. NaruHina most likely

Every chapter brings twentytwo quick, random glimpses into the world of Naruto. Sometimes poignant, sometimes utterly insane...