An Open Letter, to,

im ur misconception

Dearest reader,

One of, at least. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and review all my chapters. I started re-reading this story along with you so that I could read the reviews for the respective chapters. I sometimes find myself distracted, as recently, for instance, I've been pulled into the depths of Harry Potter. However, after all your reviews, and not being able to respond to any of them. (your private messenger and message reply are turned off) which is fine. Yeah, totally. Except...ahem...I had some things to say. Let us start at the beginning, shall we?

Ch.1 First, thank you for indulging your curiosity and clicking on me after finding me subsequently connected to several authors you favor to read. I do appreciate this. I should mention that I have a joint account too, you can find it under the username "AkumaYuki-Co" if you are so inclined to look. If you don't often read Shikamaru/Kagome fics, then I will endeavor to do my absolute best at, not only keeping these two in character as much as possible but finishing the story. As I write this missive, I've begun chapters 62, 63 and 64. We won't discuss my strange writing habits.

Ch.7 What is a good story without the occasional "plot twist". I'm not a confident writer, as I know my flaws in writing better than any reader or reviewer might imagine I do. I do try to steer clear of obvious expectations of a story. When a reviewer tells me what they think is going to happen, if it's too close to my original plot, I have no problem nixing the idea and flipping it on its back. This story is plotted out, mostly, however. I have character draft sheets and enough research and notes to fill several journals. Thank Inari for laptops and word documents! In Inuyasha, Kagome was very successful at finding herself in the middle of trouble. She's vocal and opinionated, but at times soft spoken, and very keen with her observations. I try to keep it close to the same.

Ch.8 You said you're glad that I'm giving her obvious flaws. I'm trying to, as I have a bad habit of overpowering Kagome too. However, this story is really writing itself. (I know I say that a lot, but you guys don't get it. It really is writing itself.) More flaws will become obvious as characters players come into play. She can't beat Itachi, Orochimaru can't beat Itachi either. Orochimaru is flawed, as analytical as he is, he's too cocky. She is temperamental and headstrong. Two traits that don't do well together, especially for a Kunoichi. Listing characters that she probably can't beat, Gaara, obviously. She can't beat Naruto, Sasuke and her would be neck and neck, but she might win. She can't beat Lee, it's a different fight then with Shino. Right now, she simply can't do it and Neji is a wall she hasn't yet been able to overcome. That is just in her village, Gaara aside. However, time will change, and I hope that patience is a universally shared virtue among my readers.

Ch.9 She see's Itachi, not as a crush, but as an older brother. He was her teacher, and she idolized him. She connected with him, one of the first people in the village outside of the Nara's and Chouji, that she really felt a bond with. He became a goal to overcome.

Ch.10 You'll be hard-pressed to find Shikaku not meddling with his sons love life in some way, shape or form. He's not mushy or squishy, but he has a future in mind for his sone, and specifically for his wife-to-be. More than that, he really cares for Kagome, much like a father. He plays a crucial role in her upbringing, as he instills the mindset of protecting Shikamaru and the village inside her. Whereas, Itachi entrusts her with the protection of his most precious village and precious baby brother. They are two sides of the same coin, one might say.

Ch.11 Flowers speak to us in a way that we can always understand. If we only take a moment to listen. Iris's have been a long time favorite of mine. New Beginnings and a Promise Kept. It's really a perfect flower for someone like Kagome. I'm certain you'll see it again in later chapters.

Ch.12 THIS IS WHEN I TRIED TO MESSAGE YOU THE FIRST TIME! 12:10am, I had opened my inbox to find 12 REVIEWS for Lean on Me, and realized you were reading and reviews all my chapters. I was going to message you and tell you, "while I'm super flattered by your support, please don't forget your health Sleep and continue reading tomorrow." Albeit, theirs a two-hour difference between us, as it was 2:10am when I got that message here, so in hindsight, that seems a bit hypocritical.

Ch.16 In some cases, Shikaku's acknowledgement is certainly one that she seeks, but it's not the one she most yearns for. That would be Itachi. She seeks his approval, even if he doesn't know it. More than that, she tries to transcend her own limitations. The approval she'll never get, her mother and fathers, she looks for substitutes. This will become detrimental to her health later on, but not right now as she's too young to realize what it is she's doing or seeking.

Ch.18 GENMA….okay….let's talk Genma. Genma has no kids. He's a playboy in many fics, and in this one, I wanted to give him a different air, uncertainty and caution. He's out of his element, never had his own team of three before, and is usually kept to himself. Now, he's got the responsibility of training and protecting this eleven-year-old, near prodigal, spitfire of a girl, on his team. Genma get's me in trouble. I love pairing him with students, I don't know why. Not that I am in this story, so no flames~ Light em up, up, up! Light em up, up, up!

Ch.19 I seriously was thinking about Kagome yelling at Inuyasha while writing this. Her argumentative tendencies made it sometimes difficult to write her, but I do try to keep it true to character. She's just...so diversified.

Ch.26 I have a list of characters that I dislike strongly. You would never be able to tell though from the way I write this story. Sakura...yeah, her pre-Tsunade trained self is the bane of my fanfiction world. Ino…oh god, I try to ignore the fact that she reminds me of every bad blonde joke out there. Hinata, please dear...grow a backbone. I get your dad's a limp-noodle and Neji can be a bit of a prick himself, but that doesn't mean you need to let the world walk all over you. You are one of the most talented girls among the Kunoichi in Konoha, OWN IT! Anyways, I'm writing this with diverse hopes for each of these young ladies. I wonder how many people are still reading this…. XD

Ch.30 Anyone else still wondering if Gaara is gonna collect on his prize from the Forest of Death Race? Yes, yes, he is. That comes in time, but a quick reminder. Ami and Fuki were both Kunoichi that were shown in a flashback of Ino and Sakura's. Two of the three bratty girls in their flower arrangement class that bullied Sakura. Not all that original as far as characters go, but they didn't pass, and I can see them being utilized in this manner as the Hokage saw fit.

Ch.31 As I'm sure most have noticed if they've read all the chapters up till this letter, Kagome's Jutsu's center around earth and fire style. She has no water style Jutsu, or wind style Jutsu.

Ch. 32 The relationship between Naruto and Kagome is one of my absolute favorites. Naruto is my favorite character, bar none, well...except for Shikamaru. I wanted to add to Naruto's opinion of Kagome a bit later. You'll be treated to memories and some mindless rambles, possibly flashbacks, but that isn't here nor now.

Ch.33 Again, she proves herself to be a rather ambitious distraction for Orochimaru, but she's not quite strong enough to defeat him. Just get in his way. One of the biggest fights I'm leading up to is Kagome and Sasuke. This will happen VERY soon. Keep your eyes peeled my dears.

Ch. 34 Hoki was sitting behind Naruto in the Written Exam, he and his team were from (Takigakure) didn't make it through the second part of the exam. But it shows him pumped at the end of Naruto's speech. If you google Hoki Takigakure, you'll see a picture of him. I thought that utilizing him would be a simple enough process. If you are wondering, yes, he'll come up again in the story.

Ch.35 No, Orochimaru still doesn't know that she's the little girl he'd been searching for. She'll make it known though. Soon.

Ch.36 So, I wasn't going to have Sakura back out. I already had hers and Sasuke's fight written and EVERYTHING. However, when I tell you that my story writes itself, I do not jest. The next thing I knew, she was raising her hand, bowing out, and I was erasing the whole thousand word long fight I'd only just finished. Seriously though, Naruto popping up every time I drew a name…he REALLY wanted a throw-down with Sasuke.

Ch.38 Sorry I didn't keep the Gaara/Lee fight. I thought this way would be more dynamic, and I needed Gaara to fight Kagome. I had originally planned on them getting through the WHOLE exam though. Let's see if I remember how it was supposed to go. Temari Vs. Shikamaru Gaara Vs. Kagome – Neji Vs. Hinata – Sasuke Vs. Naruto and Shino Vs. Lee as a seeded match. Gaara Vs. Shikamaru and Neji Vs. Naruto with Naruto Vs. Lee in the seeded fight. Then Naruto Vs. Gaara. Naruto winning in the end. So…I HAD A PLAN! Not that it mattered. Half of those fights didn't happen. XD

Ch.44 Yoshino's concerns become Valid soon enough, and we shall all see how it plays out later, I'm sure I'll receive some commentary for it. XD

Ch.46 Yeah…..lots of research. Lots….

Ch.51 Gaara didn't kill Kagome, not because of her jewel, but because he wanted to trust in her. The last person he'd trusted, tried to kill him. His uncle. She is a risk, in his mind, she's not safe for him. But a part of him, the part that is lonely and longs for a friend, that part of him yearned to keep her alive. He forced his bloodlust down, which, as we have seen, it's not an easily done feat. Orders are orders, and while he aims to keep her safe, he will carry out his orders.

Ch.54 Can't give too much away here, but would I hinder Sakura's growth?

Ch.55 If you were asking about who yelled out for Sasuke, it was Sakura after she heard Ino cheering Naruto on. She was naturally hesitant, not wanting to fall into her previous role, but there is a difference between obsessing over your teammate and supporting your teammate.

Ch.60 The Other Side of the Leaf…. well said, friend, well said.

Ch.61 So, things to consider briefly before I finish this...letter? ...Danzo is a threat, no matter how we flip that. More so than Akatsuki, considering the bastard is responsible for most, if not all the drama concerning that can of worms. Tsunade is first, Itachi is second. Meaning Sasuke and Kagome won't be able to duke it out until after that metaphorical bridge has been crossed. It'll happen, guys, it'll happen. Is Akuma leaning towards Sakura/Genma…no…maybe…possibly, I DON'T KNOW…wait, hold up, I have a document with pairings around here somewhere. Give me a sec…..ah, no, that's just a crush. Hm, damn.

As I don't think it'll ruin anything, I'm gonna go ahead and give out one of the pairings that will alter another pairing! So, we know Kagome/Shikamaru are the main pairing, and I'm sure that everyone is wondering about who Temari will end up with since she won't be with Shikamaru. The answer is Sasuke. Sasuke/Temari. If you want the reason...well...I mean, their English voice actors are already married, and Temari totally had her eyes on Konoha's "local hottie" when she first saw him. Oh geeze….now where does that put Sakura!? Hmm…wow, this is rough…for all you readers…not in my head. XD

Sincerest Gratitude, this letter was 2100 words long, in apology for such a long mess of commentary, I will double that number in the next chapter! Thank you again "im ur misconception", as the need to write was promptly followed the onslaught of love and reviews I received from you.

Thank you all for reading, and I'll update SOON! If anyone has questions, hit me up, I'll answer them for the most part!

-Akuma

P.S. by the time you all read this, Chapter 62 will be finished and posted. LOVE YOU ALL!